Antico Pizza Owner Giovanni Di Palma Is Opening Italian Bakery and Gelateria Pala on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead, Atlanta | Eater Atlanta

"Located in the former Yogurtland space at the West Paces Ferry Shopping Center, Pala is a bespoke, cozy Italian bakery and gelateria opened by Giovanni Di Palma with his son Johnny; the shop displays the pizza peel the pair first used together above the counter and was fashioned after Roman bakeries, including an imported large Castelli oven like the one used by Roman flatbread makers. Translating to “peel” or “shovel,” Pala focuses on Roman-style breads and flatbreads: pane alla Romana made with a 72-hour dough served three ways (taglio, pinsa, and alla Pala for four to six people available for online ordering and takeout), plus specialty squares such as bianco with wild mushroom and truffle cream, smoked salmon with rosciola, and pesto Genovese. The menu also includes ciabatta paninis (meatball parmesan, caprese, prosciutto and fior di latte), fried treats like fior di zucchini and cod fritters served in paper cones with a sauce, and a dessert cornerstone featuring cannolis, tiramisu, and fresh-baked panettone and cornetti daily. Gelato flavors include white pistachio, Pappy and praline, olive oil and sea salt, and nocciola doppio (chocolate hazelnut), with Illy espresso used for affogato. Pala planned a February 14 opening with limited hours at first, offering online ordering and curbside pickup as it ramps up service." - Jennifer Zyman