Italian Beer Garden 'La Piazza' Opens Thursday at Cesco Osteria

Bethesda's wait is almost over for its very own Italian beer garden.

This Thursday, La Piazza opens in the outdoor patio space of Cesco Osteria (7401 Woodmont Ave., at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Montgomery Lane). The beer garden—or birreria—is "handmade from only recycled materials," and features local craft beers and "inexpensive Italian beer bites," according to a restaurant news release.

"The new space is inspired by the rustic Italian 'piazza' where the community gathers outdoors to relax, socialize and have fun, which in Italy always involves friends, food and some interesting beverage," the release added.

In designing the new space and menu, Cesco Osteria owner Francesco Ricchi was helped by his daughter, Olivia Ricchi, and son-in-law, Yann Auzoux, "to create a fun, young space that would bring this Italian cultural tradition to life in Bethesda," the release added.

The beer list always will be local, and will rotate. Currently, it includes DC Brau—The Corruption IPA, DC Brau—El Hefe Speaks, Flying Dog—Raging Bitch, Flying Dog—Dogtoberfest, Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale and Heavy Seas Uber Pils, a restaurant spokesperson told Patch. Beers range in price from $4.50 to $6.

Edibles include Italian street foods such as thin-crust "pizzette," gourmet sausages, savory fried dough and Italian custard-filled hot doughnuts.

"My team and I are very excited about the creation of La Piazza in Bethesda’s dynamic downtown," Olivia Ricchi said in a statement. 

"The combination of crisp outdoor fall weather, amazing local beers, delicious Italian bites, good friends and a laid-back, fun atmosphere was too good to pass up. We love being able to share this Italian cultural tradition while supporting our local craft breweries," she added.

For more information, see the restaurant's website, piazzabeergarden.com.