Chris Bianco has spent 20 years in Phoenix building his reputation as one of the nation’s premier pizzaiolos. Pizzerio Bianco, in downtown’s Heritage Square, is one of the toughest tables anywhere, with good reason. Three-and-a-half years ago, he expanded his empire to north Phoenix, opening Pane Bianco, a deluxe sandwich shop. The stylish spot shares a picnic table-filled patio with what could be the city’s top coffeehouse, Lux.
Pane Bianco offers four sandwiches per day, including a market special. Top-flight meats, cheeses and veggies are sandwiched between house-made wood-fired focaccia. In addition to the sandwiches, there are also two salads available, plus daily blackboard specials.
A counter displayed focaccia del giorno. The case is surrounded by flowers (some alive, some dead) and livestock figurines. In a sunken kitchen behind the counter, aa baker was busy preparing dough for the flames of the boxy wood-fired oven.
Considering the ingredients, there was no doubt I’d order the Market Sandwich ($8). Combining ethereal focaccia, micro-thin slices of incredible jamon Serrano, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves, it was phenomenal.
This on-the-menu sandwich ($8) was just as special, and probably more original, utilizing thin-slices of the spicy salami known as Soppressata, aged Provolone, and Olivada, a relish made with green olives, celery and onions.
A sandwich for each of us wasn’t enough. Allison and I also split the Focaccia del Giorno ($3), topped with Provolone, sweet roasted Romalino tomatoes, garlic and basil leaves. There isn’t a bread-related product I wouldn’t order at a Bianco establishment.
I don’t know who Julie is, but her organic vanilla bean rice pudding ($3)was the day’s dessert. Made with Anson Mills Carolina gold rice, the pudding was served cool and flecked with vanilla bean. Unlike lesser versions, which can be soupy, Julie’s pudding was firm but light, and absolutely addictive.
Each sandwich comes with a complimentary cream-filled chocolate. Eat it quickly. In the desert sun, the chocolate melts almost instantly on the patio.
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