By Leslie Poythress

New York style pizza has made its way to North Macon. Bia’s Pizza Kitchen and Café is located in the recently developed Vineville Crossing Shopping Center on Forsyth Road. The modern décor and delicious food makes this a perfect addition to the rapidly growing list of North Macon eateries. We went to the restaurant on a Friday night around 5:30 to avoid a crowd, and indeed there was plenty of tables available. However, Avery, my three-year-old son, quickly spotted the bar area in front of the cooks. From his visage point on a counter stool, he became fast friends with Orhan, the "pizza thrower." Beginning with the pepperonis Orhan passed over to Avery, we were immediately impressed with the good-natured employees at Bia’s. Our waitress was very prompt, thorough, and friendly which was impressive considering the restaurant filled up quickly as we ate.

You can start with any number of dishes including Bia’s original chicken salad at $5.25, a made-to-order calzone at $5.00, pizza by the slice at $1.75, zeppolis, a hot ham and cheese sandwich or spaghetti with meatballs at $8.50. The children’s menu includes the old stand-by, chicken strips, as well as spaghetti, cheese ravioli and more. All of the items cost $2.95 or less.

I began with the chicken empanadas at $4.95 which was a delicious southwestern treat consisting of chicken, cheese, black beans, and corn. There was an interesting variation on the corn as it was seasoned, then rolled in a tortilla shell, and fried. A tomato-based dip was included and topped off the tasty appetizer. We also checked out the pizza: I had the banana peppers and black olives as well as a sample from Avery’s pepperoni, and my husband, Michael’s pepperoni and ground beef. The thin crust, tomato sauce, and ample, fresh toppings made the pizza some of the best we have had. We had to pass on the desserts which we have heard are great.

We had a most satisfying dining experience despite the menu being oddly diversified—with ethnic cuisines including Southwestern, New York, and Italian to choose from. Nevertheless, it is a lot of fun, especially for children who are sure to enjoy this watching the chefs in the open-air kitchen designed to let customers see exactly how each dish is prepared. Since our visit, Avery has begged us to go back so he can see the "pizza thrower," and eat the "yummy" pizza.

Phone: 478-757-1170