Friday, May 24, 2024

Cello’s Pizzeria now in soft-open mode on St. Mark's Place

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Cello's Pizzeria debuted in soft-open mode on Wednesday afternoon at 36 St. Mark's Place, between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

I spotted the chef and pizzamaker, James Jaworski, behind the counter...
He was also with the previous pizzeria here, Funzi's (more on them in a sec). 

We understand the new partners include some members of the Rosa's Pizza family, the operator of Whitman's on Ninth Street, and the owner of Dough Doughnuts, which may explain the presence of these for sale...
There are no menus or prices for the pizza (we were told approximately $4 for a slice) just yet, only what's listed on the wall and/or prepped behind the counter.
Hours for now are noon to 8-9 p.m. during the week, with a 10 p.m.-ish close on weekends. A beer-wine license is on the way.
A little pizzeria history here... Funzi's opened late last June and aspired to be an East Village throwback with a 1970s-80s decor modeled after owner Kevin Cox's grandmother's house.

Cox left the business in November, taking Funzi's name with him for a new version of the pizzeria in another EV location. (Funzi was named after the youngest of Cox's three sons.) We never heard anything more about a new spot for Cox. 

After Cox departed, the business pivoted to St. Marks Pizzeria, with a message on its website noting, "Same Pizza. Same Chef's. Same Location. New Name." This post-Funzi concept went dark in December, and paper covere the front windows until this recent unveiling.
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1 comment:

  1. RubberBunsandLiquorMay 24, 2024 at 10:32 AM

    I wish them the best - he made a great dough at Funzi's, and I'm still haunted by that chicory slice.

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