PHOTOS: New NY-Style Pizza, Cocktail Bar 'Parla' Opens On UWS

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY - If New York-Italian bites inside a cozy Upper West Side setting is calling your name, look no further.

Parla, Italian for “to talk,” opened Wednesday at 320 Columbus Ave. near 75th Street inside the former site of Saffron.

Helmed by the team behind The Smith, Parla designed for conversation over pizza pies and cocktails in a 30-seat space, a spokesperson for the brand told Patch.

Expect a program of espresso, wine and cocktails at Parla's 14-seat bar, alongside a selection of amari and vermouth. Pastas, pizzas, vegetable dishes and shareable plates anchor the lunch and dinner menu, curated by Executive Chef Brian Ellis of The Smith.

Round pizza pies include the Tomato Pie, NY Classic and The Happy Clam, while round pies include the Upside Down, Hot Hunny with pepperoni, stracciatella, and calabrian chili honey and Leek with gruyère fondue, bacon, and shaved brussels sprouts.

For those looking to venture outside the realm of pizza, there’s pepperoni meatballs with spicy vodka sauce, as well as roasted eggplant with whipped ricotta, pistachio and tomato and Parla’s chopped salad with crispy calamari. You can view a full menu here.

Parla will open for dinner first, but plans to expand soon as an all-day-cafe with baked goods for breakfast and lunch.

Parla is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 4 to 10 p.m.

Catch a sneak peek at the menu offerings, courtesy of Parla/Michael Jacobs Photography: