| Thankfully the recent expansion from 24 to 40 seats | | | | appetizer to arrive, and we knew there were more |
| hasn't detracted from the intimacy and quaintness of | | | | entradas to follow, the four diners in our party were |
| this downtown Italian restaurant and pizzeria. It still has | | | | drawn to devour it all, without even a single, obligatory |
| classy yet welcoming décor of deep cranberry | | | | "no, you take the last piece." |
| and white walls, simple pine tables and cushioned | | | | Our appetizers were rounded out with a bowl of ten |
| chairs stained dark to enhance a bistro-like feeling, and | | | | or so medium-sized garlic shrimp, skewered, and an |
| not to be overshadowed, floor-length draperies | | | | order of bruschetta of chicken liver paté, dare I |
| well-matched to the magenta / wine tones. The soft | | | | say good enough to remind me of my grandmothers' |
| sound of jazz heard from the street is alone enough | | | | recipe from The Old Country. Watch out asiento, |
| to make you want to take a peak in, and then you're | | | | schmaltz is making inroads into Oaxaca. |
| hooked. | | | | My wife's seafood bouillabaisse consisted of a medley |
| You're warmly welcomed by Italian owner Simone, | | | | of seafood and fish, juices appropriately spiced with a |
| who is almost always on hand. His presence remains, | | | | blend of fresh local herbs including your standard Italian |
| yet more in the nature of consultant, available to make | | | | selections, served in an oversized bowl. I continued |
| suggestions, innately knowing when his attention is | | | | with the crustacean theme, indulging in a hefty serving |
| needed, and when not. He advises regarding selections | | | | of fettuccini with seafood including squid, octopus, |
| from the printed menu, or large blackboard. We've | | | | shrimp, scallop and local langostina in their shell. One of |
| never been disappointed with his wine | | | | our guests ordered seared tuna over a bed of mixed |
| recommendations, each having been carefully chosen | | | | exotic greens. She'd requested "rare, much less than |
| by Simone so as to ensure appropriate pairing of food | | | | medium," I piped in "almost still swimming," yet the plate |
| with wine, as well as affordability for | | | | arrived disappointingly overcooked, bordering on well. |
| middle-of-the-road patrons. | | | | Without question or discussion the dish was removed, |
| The primary culinary reason for visiting Vieja Lira is its | | | | and in short order another serving, properly grilled, |
| pizzas. However, the fish, seafood, pastas and zuppas | | | | arrived with appropriate apology. The final |
| run a very close second. And even if the temptation to | | | | entrée was one of the daily specials, rabbit |
| order a traditional plato fuerte is too great to resist, and | | | | with choice of penne or linguini, in a tangy tomato |
| you're inclined to pass on the pizza, suggest to others | | | | sauce. |
| in your party that pizza as one of the appetizers might | | | | Two bottles of Italian merlot having been retired, the |
| satisfy the curiosity if not secret yearning of all. | | | | restaurant by now almost empty, we were |
| Drinks arrive almost as readily as the crusty, soft yet | | | | nevertheless still inclined to continue with just a bit |
| dense bread, hand-cut to be drizzled with the herb | | | | more catching up with good friends. A couple of |
| infused olive oil or perhaps some paste-like salsa de | | | | brandies and herbal teas, a tiramisu, and a coconut ice |
| chile de arbol. | | | | cream served in its half shell, most agreeably put the |
| The pizza is one generous size, with crust as thin as | | | | finishing touches on an evening of overall contentment. |
| I've ever chomped, surely worthy of winning an award. | | | | Vieja Lira |
| It borders on the thickness of a tortilla or perhaps | | | | Trattoria & Pizzeria |
| tlayuda. For this cena our eight-slicer had cheese, | | | | Pino Suárez 100 |
| tomato and the usual herbs and spices, each quarter | | | | Centro, Oaxaca |
| with a healthy topping of one of artichoke, black olive, | | | | Hours: 1 - 11 p.m. |
| mushroom and pepperoni. While it was the first | | | | |