Oppi’z Brings Fresh Italian to State Street

Guido Oppizzi immigrated to America from Italy only three years ago, bringing a deep love for traditional cooking from his homeland. But if you assume that means Oppi’z Bistro & Natural Pizza — his new State Street restaurant located in the longtime, though long-empty, home of Palazzio — is serving standard versions of pizza and pasta, think again.

“It’s much more modern and unconventional cuisine, but still deeply rooted in the Italian culture,” explained Oppizzi, whose eyes light up when sharing stories and discussing his favorite dishes. “Everything should be fresh and light. I really do not want to have food processed.”

Hailing from Pavia, a city south of Milan, Oppizzi previously worked for multinational companies as a director of organization and IT. He considered opening a restaurant in Italy, but the country’s economic woes didn’t make investing there a good idea. So he moved to Sacramento, near where his daughter, Linda, went to UC Davis, but then took a fateful trip to Santa Barbara two years ago.