Mani in Pasta closes on 14th Street

[Photo via Pinch]

A for rent sign is now up in the window at 245 E. 14th St., marking the end of Mani in Pasta's tenure here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

There isn't an official word from ownership yet about a closure. In early June, they launched a crowdfunding campaign after their shop was looted while on the COVID-19 PAUSE.

On June 2, at approximately 1 a.m. our 14th Street location got broken into and robbed. After business being closed for almost 8 weeks due to the current pandemic this strains our financial situation even more.

This restaurant is our home away from home, our provider. Not only to us but to our Family and Friends who have been with us since the very beginning. Our hearts are shattered with the realization that we could potentially close down permanently.

Mani in Pasta had plenty of fans, such as Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld at New York magazine who were impressed by the restaurant's Roman-style pizza via Giuseppe Manco, the pizzaiolo-chef and co-owner.

The pan pizza "is terrific — the crust dark and crackly around the edges, the tender crumb boasting the kind of webby, widely inscribed holes that hint of long fermentation. Manco attributes its texture to high-hydration dough that lazes about developing flavor for a whopping 96 to 110 hours, and the blend of flours he uses: wheat, soy, rice, and semolina."

This was the second location for the Italian restaurant when it opened back in December 2017. They also had a spot on 37th Street between Fifth and Madison.

High praise for Mani in Pasta’s Roman-style pizzas on 14th Street

Mani in Pasta opened back in December at 245 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Haven't heard anything about the place. Until now! Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld at New York magazine are impressed by the restaurant's Roman-style pizza via Giuseppe Manco, the pizzaiolo-chef and co-owner.

The pan pizza "is terrific — the crust dark and crackly around the edges, the tender crumb boasting the kind of webby, widely inscribed holes that hint of long fermentation. Manco attributes its texture to high-hydration dough that lazes about developing flavor for a whopping 96 to 110 hours, and the blend of flours he uses: wheat, soy, rice, and semolina."

And!

Toppings fall on the spectrum somewhere between Neapolitan restraint and modern-Roman-pizza-maker whimsy. We particularly liked the carbonara and the Regina Margherita, in spite of the fact that the latter’s halved cherry tomatoes flew off the slices when we picked them up like drunken lumberjacks at a log roll. You can also get the pan pizza by the slice at a mostly takeout Mani in Pasta satellite in Midtown East, but then you’ll miss out on the comparatively deluxe surroundings and cheerful vibe at the East Village nook (a half-dozen-or-so tables, cloth napkins, the occasional Felliniesque gathering of Italian expats), not to mention the tag-team table service — enthusiastic and hands-on but never-intrusive — provided by Manco and his business partner Pietro Toscano.

A post shared by MANI IN PASTA (@maniinpastanyc) on Apr 16, 2018 at 9:05am PDT

The Manu in Pasta website and menu are here.

Looking at Mani in Pasta on 14th Street

Mani in Pasta looks ready to start serving at 245 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ... (EVG regular Pinch saw some customers inside in what was likely a friends-family test run...)



This is the second location for the Italian restaurant. (The other spot is on 37th Street between Fifth and Madison.) Here's more about what they serve via Facebook:

The best Roman Style Pizza "Pizza al Taglio" but also Southern Italian Appetizers, Handmade Panini, Signature Pastas, Salads, Coffees, Pastries and Gelato...

[Image via Facebook]

You can find their menu and hours here.

Meanwhile, the letter spacing between the P and the A in PASTA has been corrected...


[Photo from September]

In recent years, the address was home to Mimi's Hummus, Wicked Wolf BBQ and Joey Pepperoni's.

Mani in Pasta coming to 14th Street

Signage is up now at 245 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue for Mani in Pasta, as these photos via EVG reader Miles show...



The sign promises "Roman Style Pizza & Cucina." They also have a location on East 37th Street.

As Miles reminded me, this won't be the first time the space has had a pizza establishment. Before Mimi's Hummus, the address was Wicked Wolf BBQ (which served $1 pizza) and Joey Pepperoni's.

Also: H/T EVG reader Shiv!