First Look: Joe’s New York Pizzeria, Alpharetta

Joe’s New York Pizzeria in Alpharetta is the newest spot for the talents of Joe Amitrano, the pizza maker behind the popular Verra-Zanno Pizzeria in Johns Creek. In fact, the hand-tossed, stone-baked pizza menu at Joe’s is a ditto of the menu at Verra-Zanno — though you won’t find as many pasta dishes and sandwiches among the other offerings.

The look: Situated in a strip center on Mansell Road, the cozy contemporary space is accented with bright colors and photos and artwork with a New York City theme. Seating is at cafe tables near a row of tall windows or at several secluded booths in back. A beer and wine bar runs between the front cashier counter and the semi-open kitchen.

The scene: One recent afternoon, two friendly, conscientious servers worked the room in tandem, chatting with customers, while seeing to a steady stream of takeout orders, pulling pints at the bar and delivering pizzas on silver stands around the dining room.

The menu: Pizza knots ($2.50-$6.75) and pepperoni wheels ($3.95-$7.45) top the pizza dough-based appetizers. There are several salads big enough to share, including antipasto Italian meats and cheese ($8.50). Create your own pizza by the slice or 12-inch or 16-inch pie with more than 30 toppings, such as artisan pepperoni from Heywood's Provision Co. in Marietta. Also choose from "gourmet" combo pies ($12.15/$18.60), like the San Gennaro, baked with sauteed peppers and onions, provolone cheese and Italian sausage.

The drinks: There's a small, mostly Italian and American wine list, with selections by the glass or bottle. The beer list is a pleasant surprise, with a variety of American craft beers on draft and in the bottle priced in the $4-$7 range. Recently, Blue Point Rastafa Rye and Bell's Two Hearted Ale were on the draft list, with Victory Prima Pils, North Coast Old Rasputin and Boulevard Tank 7 in bottles.

The extras: Look for daily lunch specials, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, with the likes of Joe's house stromboli with peppers, onions, sausage and pepperoni ($7.69). Tuesday is lasagna day at both lunch and dinner ($7.95/$9.95), and Wednesday is Sicilian pizza day ($2.50 slice/$18 whole).