First look: Eddie's Pizzeria Cerino

(Credit: Marissa DeSantis)

Carrie Cerino's North Royalton restaurant is a Cleveland staple, serving traditional pasta dishes in a classic, romantic setting. Now, Carrie’s grandson, Eddie, serves up his own brand of old-world comfort food with contemporary flair at Eddie’s Pizzeria Cerino.  Located in an otherwise strip mall-laden section of Broadview Road, Cerino’s smart décor, specialty pizzas and pasta dishes make for a quaint suburban getaway.

Food: Cerino’s menu longs to be shared, offering pastas by the half-order, pizzas sliced for sampling and delectable appetizers like the parmesan breaded zucchini spears served with lemon pepper aioli ($6.50). Nine-inch pies start at $7.95 and half orders of pasta start at $4.25.

Eddie’s pizzas are the Don: crisp and light, yet substantial enough to hold layers of fresh toppings. Treat yourself to a keenly designed offering like the Toscana: pepperoni, prosciutto, artichokes, capers, mozzarella and parmesan (9-inch: $11.95; 13-inch: $15.95; 17-inch: $19.95). The pizzas taste just as good as they look.

Libations: The small bar faces the kitchen and is fully stocked with booze. People? Not so much. Still, the towering wall of carefully selected wine bottles and the small but mighty draught system featuring Great Lakes brews and the recently ubiquitous Magic Hat #9 aim to please.

Décor: Eddie’s does wonders transforming a high-ceilinged, open space into a warm, intimate bistro setting with tall, cushioned booths, exposed brick, clay-colored ductwork, and soft, creamy hanging light fixtures. It feels cozy in here.

Service: The wait staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. Eddie’s does not take reservations for parties smaller than eight, and those large parties are seated at “the gathering table”, a long wooden number perfectly designed for posed re-creations of The Last Supper. The waitresses swivel a tantalizing multi-tiered dessert cart from table to table with a flight attendant’s grace and allure. 

Crowd: Because of the takeout options and the inexpensive cuisine, the crowd is quite diverse, including high school kids on group dates and middle-aged couples. Anyone should feel comfortable dining in.

Insider Tip: Be a “daily specials” sleuth—check the chalkboard and always ask what the cookie of the day is.

Bottom Line: With a menu that is both hip and nostalgic and extremely affordable, Eddie’s is a great place for a casual date or a tasty getaway from overpriced pseudo-Italian chains.