Savory eats, pizza, wine: Get a taste of what this metro-east restaurant has to offer
A new restaurant offering pizza, wine and beer opens this week in Downtown Wood River.
1929 Pizza & Wine, located at 7 N. Wood River Avenue, is owned by Matt and Amy Herren. In a phone interview with Amy Herren, I asked if they were ready for Thursday’s opening.
“We’re ready. We are ready,” said Herren.
Herren said they got some practice in over the Thanksgiving holiday when they held a friends and family Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people.
Last Friday they held a soft opening, serving around 35 people.
Then on Small Business Saturday, folks got a real taste of what 1929 has to offer.
The Herrens hosted an open house, getting to know the public and giving out around 200 slices of pizza, selling gift cards and bottles of wine, and serving wine and beer.
They’re already busy, and the place hasn’t even opened yet. After all of that, I asked Herren if they had anything planned for the official first day.
“Because I’m insane, I’m also gonna have a special,” said Herren.
They are going off-menu and serving a Brussels sprouts (yum!) and bacon pizza.
The menu at 1929 includes a variety of small plate dishes and wood-fired pizzas. (My favorite part is that some menu items can be made vegan. Huzzah!)
Herren said the menu includes a ricotta (housemade) and pane (rustic bread) plate and a bread and butter board. The butter is made in-house and will change in flavor depending on the day.
(I’m all in for the roasted garlic and pane. I love garlic.)
Pizzas include margherita, mushroom, pepperoni, potato, greens and a few others. Salads, cannoli, beer and cider, and, of course, wine are on the menu too.
Pizza and wine pairing recommendations are listed, which is good because I don’t know what goes well with a potato pizza.
Market goods are available for your home pantry and include crushed tomatoes, peppers in oil, sea salt and canned beverages.
1929 will be open three evenings a week through the month of December, according to Herren.
Herren said the reason for this is to train staff and to get settled in. Plans include adding Wednesday and Sunday hours sometime after the new year.
Wednesdays will be Wine Wednesdays, and there will be a weekly wine club, which can be joined via their website.
The facility is also available for private parties on days they aren’t open.
“It’s a really great space for private events,” said Herren, adding that they already have two events scheduled for next week.
One last thing to note is that 1929 is cashless. Herren said they accept credit and debit payments only, but patrons can leave cash tips.
1929 Pizza & Wine is located at 7 N. Wood River Ave. in Wood River.
Hours are currently 5-9 p.m. Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday with plans to extend hours after the new year.
For more information, visit 1929pizzaandwine.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
This story was originally published December 1, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
