Pizza pocket purveyors I Love Panzerotti coming to St. Mark's Place

I Love Panzerotti is opening an outpost at 130 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. The signage arrived back on Friday. (Thanks to Nick Solares for the photo!)

I Love Panzerotti is a growing chainlet — the first one opened in April 2019 down on Varick — that specializes in panzerotti, a fried dough pocket popular in Italy that's filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce or any other combo of ingredients.

Eater critic Robert Sietsema likes them. He had this to say about the Varick spot:

At $7 to $9 each, one is probably enough ... I was intrigued by the mortadella and mozzarella filling, and a companion enjoyed the artichoke hearts, which also came with spinach inside. Indeed, the number of vegetarian options is one of the pluses of this place, and among those, the classico (mozzarella and tomato, with a marinara dipping sauce) is one of the best.

The St. Mark's location has also applied for a beer-wine license.

Tramonti Pizza closed at this address in late November ahead of a move to a larger location on Fifth Avenue and 28th Street.

The pre-Tramonti tenants were also pizzerias — (Via Della Pace Pizza and Falanghina Pizza Bar). Whole Earth Bakery held forth for 20-plus years at this address until December 2012.

Old Fashioned Pizza debuts on 13th Street

[Photo by EVG reader Annabelle]

Haven't had a chance to stop by Old Fashioned Pizza, which opened earlier this month at 244 E. 13th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

We're told the owners here are also behind Uncle Paul's Pizza up by Grand Central.

The shop is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. ... and until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. You can find their Instagram account here for a look at their pies.

The space previously housed Thaimee Box.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Old Fashioned Pizza coming to 13th Street

Taking the last slice

Thanks to Jess Ruliffson for sharing this photo from earlier today on Chrystie Street near East Houston...

File under Spirit Animal

Nicoletta Pizzeria closes 2nd Avenue dining room, plans move to a new delivery-only location

Nicoletta, the Altamarea Group's homage to Chef Michael White's favorite childhood dish (hint: pizza), has closed its dining room on Second Avenue at 10th Street.

Signage points to a new spot somewhere else in the East Village, where they'll continue on, though only via delivery... and no word just yet where the new Nicoletta will live...



For now, though, Nicoletta fans can still order their pizzas for delivery.

The new EV space will also feature new menu items, per their Instagram, and an expanded delivery zone. (Do you remember when they first started, and their delivery zone was: First Avenue to Third Avenue, and Ninth Street to 11th Street?)

Nicoletta opened to SO Much Hoopla in June 2012, including 90-minute waits for tables.

I don't recall anyone saying that the pizza was all that good. Pete Wells was Real Meh on it in an August 2012 review at the Times in which he bestowed the pizzeria 0 stars.

Per Pete:

Nicoletta’s pizzas are not quite deep dish, but they are heading in that direction. The crust is as strong as epoxy, and Mr. White piles it up with an abundance of toppings that would buckle an ordinary pie. In thickness and heft, a Nicoletta pizza resembles the September issue of Vogue.

There was another reason my table never finished an entire pizza: we lost interest. The style of pizza Mr. White is pursuing emphasizes gut-stretching abundance over flavor. The pies are overburdened conglomerations of cheese, flour and fistfuls of other stuff; in the end, the elements cancel one another out.

And the salads?

The salad recipes might have been nabbed from that corner trattoria you stopped going to a few years ago. There is the Nicoletta, with lettuce, red endive and a sliver of focaccia smeared with goat cheese. Or the insalata mare with clams, mussels, squid and octopus, all as tender as an extension cord, all bathed in a dressing that had no effect on any of it.

A look at the EVG archives and our 4568799000223323 posts about the place shows that some readers were tuned off by Nicoletta's T.G.I. Fridaysish interior and corporate vibe and the clipboard-toting host staff standing guard by the door while keeping tabs on those early line waiters.

By August 2013, Eater put Nicoletta on its Deathwatch.

Anyway, Nicoletta has been able to move past all this, enough to relocate to a smaller spot for delivery at least amid more and more competition. How many high-profile pizzerias have opened since Nicoletta arrived? In the last 12 months alone we've had Joe & Pat's, Emmy Squared, Sauce and Sorbillo Pizzeria, to name a few.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Alphabet Pizza and Deli setting up shop at 20 Avenue A

Alphabet Pizza and Deli is a new tenant for 20 Avenue A at Second Street. The coming-soon signage arrived late last week.

We noted back in July that workers were "TO INSTALL PIZZA OVEN AND DELI EQUIPMENT IN EXISTING STORE" (per the ALL-CAP DOB style) in this space.

This quick-serve business only accounts for part of the former Chase branch. There's still roughly three-fourths of the storefront available for another tenant.

Alphabet Pizza and Deli is a little more pedestrian (not a criticism or complaint!) than what had been envisioned for the address. In early 2016, the broker — one of many — for 20 Avenue A showed the potential here for more-upscale wine-bar and retail tenant action...


[Click to go big]


[Ditto]

Of course with the remaining parcel of space, there's still the potential for rendering reality (though, honestly, probably not).

Chase vacated this storefront in November 2015. There were six or seven different brokers for the space in these past three years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The retail-wine bar possibilities for the former Chase space on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

The retail space at 20 Avenue A no longer looks like a bank branch

Another broker for the former Chase branch on Avenue A

Pizza for 20 Avenue A

Breaking: Village Square Pizza signage arrives on Avenue A

The signage is going up for the new tenant at 147 Avenue A — Village Square Pizza.

This is at the former Eggloo spot between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

It's unknown at the moment what the "Square" stands for... possibilities include:

• An open (typically four-sided) area surrounded by buildings in a town, village or city.
• A play on Tompkins Square Park, which is directly across the Avenue
• The shape of the pizza
• A person who is conventional and old-fashioned.
• All the above (though likely not No. 4)
• None of the above.

To be continued.

Thanks to Steven for the photo!

[Updated] Williamsburg Pizza vying for East Village location on 14th Street

Updated: This item has been withdrawn from this month's agenda.

The owners of the popular Williamsburg Pizza have designs on opening an outpost at 226 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

And they're on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license...



A pizzeria in this spot makes sense, as the most recent tenant was the rather blah Krust, which closed in January after seven years at the address.

I haven't confirmed this yet, but it looks as if the WP team will be taking the small vacant space next door as well. The questionnaire at the CB3 website shows 9 tables here seating 24 people, plus counter space for eight along the east-facing wall. (Krust wasn't all that large.)

The proposed hours are 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. during the week, with extended hours Thursday through Saturday night.

If all goes well, then this will make the latest Williamsburg Pizza location... joining the original out on Union Avenue and the one on Broome Street on the LES. (Chef/owner Nino Coniglio also makes pizza at 310 Bowery.)

The pizzeria has plenty of fans (for example). And a few years back New York magazine gave them the Best Slice Joint nod.

Williamsburg Pizza is one of the applicants to appear before CB3's SLA committee this coming Monday. Part two of the October SLA committee meeting takes place at the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. The festivities start at 6:30.

Countdown to grilled pizza on 5th Street

An EVG reader on Fifth Street has been keeping tabs on No. 511 here between Avenue A and Avenue B... where the owners of Emmy Squared are in the process of renovating the space for a grilled pizzeria (background here). Updates include an exterior paint job (above) this past weekend ... and the the delivery of kitchen equipment on Monday ...



The still-unnamed grilled pizzeria, which is expected to open in November, per New York, will also offer non-pizza dishes such as housemade pastas and grilled fish.

Next update will be when the new awning arrives. Or the mail.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

Sauce Pizzeria opens Saturday, though look for free slices tomorrow

[EVG photo from Saturday]

There will be yet another pizza option starting Saturday when Sauce Pizzeria opens at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

As first noted back in June, Adam Elzer of Sauce Restaurant on Allen and Rivington is behind this venture.

Elzer and company hope that the sauce here will set them apart from other pizzerias. Here's more from a Sauce rep on what to expect in the 22-seat space:

At this counter-service, pizza parlor, guests are encouraged to put sauce on everything and are given sides of sauce like (Grandmother's Gravy, Mantecato, Filleto, and Bolognese) with every order to enhance their meal, perfect for dipping crusts or adding an unexpected twist to salads.

Adam has been perfecting his dough recipe for the last five years, narrowing in on thin crust pies. Their coveted Pizza Master oven achieves overall consistency and ideal leopard spotting on each pie. The use of a homemade sourdough starter, Central Milling Beehive organic malted flour, fresh sauces, and a unique cheese blend creates their signature flavor profile. Pie highlights include:

• Upside Down Cheese Pie: constructed by reversing the order the ingredients are put on the pie with mozzarella, pecorino, tomato sauce, wild sicilian oregano, and breadcrumbs
• Heritage Sausage Pie: housemade pork sausage, red onion, shaved garlic, and breadcrumbs
• Vodka Pie: spicy mantecato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil

Additional menu items include:

• Fried Polenta Sticks
• Garlic Knots with fresh garlic & garlic oil
• Chocolate & Vanilla Van Leeuwen Soft Serve (the only venue in nyc to offer VL soft serve)
• Van Leeuwen Soft Serve Floats with Boylan's Soda (Black Cherry, Root Beer, Cola, Orange, etc.)

And an image via the rep...



Sauce is giving away free slices tomorrow (Friday!) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The space was last home to S'MAC, who moved to the corner at First Avenue in July 2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sauce Pizzeria coming to 12th Street

More about Sauce Pizzeria, opening later this summer on 12th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

Interior renovations started in earnest last week at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

As previously reported, Emmy Squared was originally thought to be taking over the space. (Emmy Squared instead opened on First Avenue at Fifth Street.) And No. 511 remained in a dormant state following GG's departure last December.

Emmy Squared owners Matt and Emily Hyland recently announced that they will serve grilled ­pizza here, as New York magazine first reported.

The Hylands reportedly went to "grilled-pizza mecca" Al Forno in Providence, R.I., on their first date while they attended Roger Williams University.

Eater had more about grilled pizza:

It’s known for being crisp on the bottom but tender inside, with some smokiness from the grill. There’s not a lot of it in NYC, which is something the Hylands are familiar with after making Detroit pizza happen here with their breakout hit Emmy Squared.

The still-unnamed grilled pizzeria, which is expected to open in November, per New York, will also offer non-pizza dishes such as housemade pastas and grilled fish.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Pizza for 20 Avenue A

While on the topic of former bank branches on Avenue A ... the long-vacant former Chase space at Second Street (20 Avenue A) may finally have a tenant... the for lease banner came down on June 20.

On Friday, work permits were filed with the city for the following (in the ALL-CAP DOB style): TO INSTALL PIZZA OVEN AND DELI EQUIPMENT IN EXISTING STORE SPACE INCLUDING MINOR FLOOR AND WALL FINISHES AS PER PLAN.

Didn't spot any other info at the DOB ... such as the name of the new business. The monthly asking rent here had been $36,000, per the last listing for the address.

Chase vacated this storefront in November 2015. There were six or seven different brokers for the space in these past three years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The retail-wine bar possibilities for the former Chase space on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

The retail space at 20 Avenue A no longer looks like a bank branch

Another broker for the former Chase branch on Avenue A

More about Sauce Pizzeria, opening later this summer on 12th Street

In late May we noted that signs were in the windows at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue for a new restaurant called Sauce Pizzeria.

EVG reader Adam C. thought that the logo looked similar to that of Sauce Restaurant on Allen and Rivington.

Good eye, Adam. A rep confirmed that Sauce Restaurant and Sauce Pizzeria are from the same ownership.

Here's what the rep shared:

Sauce Pizzeria will be a nostalgic pizza parlor, where homemade sauces are the star, each simmering pot visible upon entering the quaint yet eclectic space. At the counter, guests will be able to choose from a selection of signature pies, composed salads, and signature bowls.

Owner Adam Elzer has a heavy “sauce on everything” philosophy and will offer extra sides of sauce with all orders to enhance meals.

Sauce Pizzeria is slated to open at the end of the summer.

Sauce Pizzeria coming to 12th Street

The Sauce signage recently went up in the windows at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



There isn't any other info at the moment about who's behind this venture. (Sauce does have an Instagram account.)

--

Updated 9 a.m.
Several readers have suggested that this is a spin-off of Sauce Restaurant on Allen and Rivington.

--

The space, just a few storefronts away from Motorino Pizzeria, was last home to S'MAC, who moved to the corner at First Avenue last summer.

Thanks to Lola Sáenz for the tip!

Joe & Pat's now open on 1st Avenue

Joe & Pat's, the Staten Island-based pizzeria, opened its first Manhattan location today (as you probably know) at 168 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

EVG regular Lola Sáenz stopped by for a pizza to go...



As Eater noted:

The hallmark of the pizza here is the cracker-thin crust with fresh-mozzarella. The food, from the Pappalardo family, has earned the restaurant cult status, and fans will be pleased to know that the Manhattan location is a straight-up duplicate of its older Staten Island sister.

You can find their menu here.

This Joe and Pat's outpost is open weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. ... and 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends.

Updated 5/1

You can find more details on the pizzeria at Eater and Grub Street...

Neapolitan Express pulls into the opening lane on 2nd Avenue

The pizzeria is now open here at 29 Second Ave. between First Street and Second Street...



The Neapolitan Express brand is expanding with several new locations in the city... they started as a food truck — touted at the time by Mayor Bloomberg — in 2013. Per the Neapolitan website:

Originally launched in 2013 as the world’s first Eco Friendly Food Truck, Neapolitan Express was officially introduced by lead investors, energy innovators and business tycoons T. Boone Pickens of Clean Energy Fuels. Powered entirely by alternative energies, the Neapolitan Express pizza truck reduces greenhouse gases by up to 99%. Our patent-pending fueling technology fully powers truck operations, while simultaneously cuts down pollutants to a fraction.

And via Real Estate Weekly:

The restaurant eschews traditional coal and wood-burning ovens typically used for Italian pizza, instead using open mouth electric ovens designed and made in Italy to reach 900 degrees with zero emissions.

The technique cooks the pies ... in 90 seconds.

As for the pies... here's a look at the menu...



The building was renovated after the previous tenant, the Cock, moved moved a few blocks north in December 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pizza in the mix for former Cock space on 2nd Avenue

Krust Pizzeria has closed for good this time on 14th Street

EVG reader Shiv shares this photo, showing a for rent sign and eviction notice on the door at Krust Pizzeria.

Last summer, it looked as if Krust here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue had bitten the dust. The shop was closed for weeks, and legal documents posted to the door showed that eviction proceedings were underway. But Krust rallied and reopened, though it was only temporary.

The pizzeria opened in the fall of 2011.

Neapolitan Express pulling into 29 2nd Ave.

Late last month we noted that a pizzeria was coming to the empty retail space at 29 Second Ave.

Reps for Neapolitan Express are on CB3's SLA committee docket in January for a beer-wine license for the space between First Street and Second Street. As of now, only the application, which doesn't provide as many operational details as the questionnaire, is on the CB3 website.

Neapolitan Express, a growing chain that started as a food truck in 2013, is also opening an outpost adjacent to the Ed Sullivan Theater in Midtown. Their other locations are in East Harlem and on Wall Street.

A post shared by Neapolitan Express NY (@neaexpress) on Dec 21, 2017 at 9:19am PST

Here's more about them via the Neapolitan website:

Originally launched in 2013 as the world’s first Eco Friendly Food Truck, Neapolitan Express was officially introduced by lead investors, energy innovators and business tycoons T. Boone Pickens of Clean Energy Fuels. Powered entirely by alternative energies, the Neapolitan Express pizza truck reduces greenhouse gases by up to 99%. Our patent-pending fueling technology fully powers truck operations, while simultaneously cuts down pollutants to a fraction.

The Cock moved moved a few blocks north from No. 29 in December 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pizza in the mix for former Cock space on 2nd Avenue

Pizza Rollio bringing its skinny slices to 9th Street

[Photo via Steven]

Pizza Rollio is opening an outpost on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, where it will sell its super-thin, arugula-topped pizza served in long strips that patrons can roll up.

The pizzeria is owned by Miyuki Talwar and her family, who run similar establishments in the Philippines.

This will be the third Pizza Rollio in the city, joining the Plaza Hotel Food Hall and on West 18th Street.

Here's more about their pizza from the Daily News in 2016:

In a city with pizzerias on almost every corner, Pizza Rollio serves the seemingly impossible: a totally unique pie. Its rectangular creations are light and delicate — built on paper-thin sheets of dough that are baked and sliced into wide ribbons perfect for wrapping around peppery bites of alfalfa sprouts and arugula, the salad-y condiment served with every order.

(God)mother knows best! Try "The Godmother" today, made with fresh figs, blue cheese, and mozzarella. Double tap if you'd like to try a roll! #pizza #nycpizza #theplazafoodhall #theplazahotel #igfood #pizzarollio #🍕

A post shared by Pizza Rollio (@pizzarollio) on Aug 23, 2015 at 10:02am PDT

And via DNAinfo when Pizza Rollio opened an outpost on West 18th Street early this year:

In addition to its classic margherita pie, Pizza Rollio serves specials like “The Godmother" topped with fig, gorgonzola and mozzarella; the “Eggs Benedict” topped with Canadian bacon, fresh egg, chives and hollandaise sauce; and the “Mushroom Truffle Madness,” with mushrooms, truffle oil and mozzarella.

This storefront on Ninth Street was previously the longtime home of the salon Crops for Girls.

GG's looks to be yielding to Emmy Squared on 5th Street

The owners of Emmy Squared are applying for a new liquor license at 511 E. Fifth St. — the current home of GG's, the pizzeria between Avenue A and Avenue B, according to paperwork on file at the CB3 website. (PDF here.)

The paperwork filed ahead of Monday night's CB3-SLA meeting describes this as a sale of assets. The method of operation looks about the same with seating and hours (noon to midnight daily).

Emmy Squared in Williamsburg serves Detroit-style pizza via the wife-and-husband team behind Emily on Downing Street. (Neither of the owners, Emily and Matt Hyland, happen to be from Detroit.)

Eater once wrote that Emily and Emily Squared are "two of NYC's most exciting pizzerias."

A post shared by Emmy Squared (@emmysquaredpizza) on Nov 19, 2017 at 1:18pm PST

The Hylands are currently involved in a lawsuit with some investors.

GG's opened here in September 2014... after owner Nick Morgenstern decided to revamp his Goat Town space. Morgenstern told Eater that business is good at GG's, but he and his partners want to focus on new projects, such as a restaurant for the Ace Hotel on the Bowery.

GG's will close after service on Dec. 23.

The December CB3-SLA committee meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Goat Town is closing to make way for a pizzeria

The transformation of Goat Town to GG's on East 5th Street

GG's announces itself on East 5th Street

Pizza in the mix for former Cock space on 2nd Avenue

Looks as if there's a retail tenant for the new-look 29 Second Ave.

The work permit on the front window notes the renovations are for a "pizza shop."



Not sure just who is behind the incoming pizzeria, but likely someone with some dough. (Sorry.) The retail space has been asking $23,000-plus change.

The previous tenant here, The Cock, moved a few blocks to the north in December 2015.

Earlier this year, Highpoint Property Group purchased the building for $4.55 million from Jared Kushner's Westminster Management, according to public records.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Looking at the new-look 29 Second Ave.