A few steps off Birmingham’s bustling 20th St. North, Trattoria Zaza (formerly Trattoria Centrale ) greets hungry downtown diners with savory Italian flavors. Uniquely-flavored pizzas—often including toppings like pancetta, sweet potato, wilted spinach, and the brunch-time farm egg—transport Alabamians to Rome, where sidewalk venders sell steaming slices of pizza al metro to passersby.

Trattoria Centrale’s casual, fun and funky atmosphere begs diners to talk with their neighbor and savor reasonably-priced glasses of wine and a rotating selection of craft beers. Chef/Owners Brian Somershield and Geoff Lockert work every inch of their open kitchen preparing pastas, fresh salads, and signature pizzas. Starting in Spring 2010, Centrale will begin sourcing tomatoes, eggplants, and basil from their new rooftop garden.

Open early, Trattoria Centrale offers frittatas, scones, McEwen & Sons grits, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Beyond their normal breakfast and lunch hours, Centrale stays open late on Fridays for supper. For Friday suppers, Somershield frequently offers entrees featuring simply prepared Gulf fish, Fudge Farms pork, and local grass-fed beef. Sunday brunch has been another area in which Trattoria Centrale has been able to excel, headlining with showstoppers like farm egg-topped breakfast pizza, and mascarpone-stuffed French toast. less