Trading places: Are you ready for some Unregular Pizza?

Unregular Pizza opens today at 135 Fourth Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. There was a friends and family sneak preview last evening... (thanks to Steven for the pics!)

Owner Gabriele Lamonaca, who previously worked at EV restaurants Huertas and Cacio e Vino, made headlines earlier this year for his unique bartering system. 

Lamonaca, who has wanted to open his own restaurant, started experimenting with his pizza-making skills during the pandemic. From his Harlem apartment, he whipped up a handful of pies every week and made them available via barter. 

As the Rome native told the Post back in February, he didn't want to take people's money during such difficult financial times... so he traded his creations for everything from chocolate cake to chicken Milanese.

He said there's some historical precedent for bartering. During leaner times in post-World War II Italy, "My grandmother would bake bread and press olives into oil, and trade it to neighbors for eggs," he said.

Now though you can pay for the pies, which the Post declared the best in the city. You can follow the pizzeria on Instagram. It appears that Lamonaca will still hold some pizza barters. (Update: they will have once-daily trades.)

Hours: daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

More pizza for a former pizzeria

Look for more pizza on the high-profile corner of Second Avenue at 10th Street.

Signs arrived yesterday for Marinara Pizza ... (thanks to Steven for the photos!)

This will be the fifth outpost for the pizzeria, which has locations on the UES, UWS, Midtown East and Park Avenue South. (I've never had their pizza. Anyone?)

Two buzzy pizza joints have been at this address (160 Second Ave.) in recent years. Lions & Tigers & Squares — the Detroit-style pizzeria from the Artichoke team — debuted in October 2019 before closing during the pandemic last summer. 

And before this... Nicoletta spent six-plus years in business here until the end of 2018.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cafe Centosette closes on Second Avenue

Pizzeria primed for 128 2nd Ave. space

For the Coming Soon Department... a pizzeria is in the works for 128 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street. The @TradedNY account reported that the new leaseholder is Antonio's Pizza.

Not sure at the moment if they are related to Antonio's Pizza on Flatbush Avenue.
 

The space is already fitted for a pizzeria: Nolita Pizza left last June after a year for a newer outpost down on Kenmare Street.

Before that: Kati Roll Company bowed out here in April 2019 after just under three years in business.

The longtime previous tenant at the address, The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed in March 2016. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with Icon Realty, who had taken over as the landlord.

H/T Upper West Sider!

Openings: Burrata Pizza on Avenue A, Sal's Pizza II on 14th Street

Burrata Pizza has debuted at 221 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

As previously reported, this pizzeria is taking the place of Muzzarella Pizza (1991-2020). 

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. You can find a menu, which includes salads and paninis, at GrubHub. 

... and New York Sal's Pizza II recently opened at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. The deal signage on the sidewalk offers two slices and a soda for $6.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

This is a sibling to the New York Sal's Pizza up on 10th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen.

Anyone try either pizzeria? EVG regular Edmund John Dunn liked his slice from Burrata.

F&M Slice Pizza has closed on Avenue C

F&M Slice Pizza closed up on Saturday over at 153 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Eden shared the photo, noting: "Not enough business, and the rent is too high." 

The pizzeria, which arrived here as F&F in late 2011, served budget-friendly 99-cent slices and other items like Jamaican beef patties.

Incoming pizzeria check, 14th Street/Avenue A edition

The signage is complete now for the incoming Burrata Pizza at 221 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

As we reported this week, this pizzeria is taking the place of Muzzarella Pizza (1991-2020). 

And Burrata isn't the only new pizzeria in the works right here at 14th Street... a 99-cent sliceria is taking the former Rainbow Nails & Spa space at 424 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue...

... and New York Sal's Pizza is set for 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...

This is a sibling to the New York Sal's Pizza up on 10th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen.

Another pizzeria slinging 99-cent slices coming to 14th Street

A 99-cent sliceria is coming soon to the former Rainbow Nails & Spa space at 424 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

EVG regular Gojira, who shared the above photo, notes that the interior "is still littered with the salon furnishings, so no idea when this is all going to happen."

This is the latest no-frills pizza shop to open around here ... a 99-cent joint opened last fall at 246 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ... joining the September debut of 99-Cent Fresh Pizza & Hot Dog at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Meanwhile, a New York Sal's Pizza is opening soon at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

With Gino Sorbillo bowing out, there's another pizzeria slated for 334 Bowery

A "temporarily closed for renovation" sign arrived at the Gino Sorbillo outpost at 334 Bowery between Great Jones and Bond in early January.

It didn't seem likely that the first U.S. pizzeria from "the Neapolitan celebrity super-chef" Gino Sorbillo was going to reopen amid the pandemic. At the time, there wasn't any message about a closure on the pizzeria's social media...  and their website was offline ... and the phone went to a random voice mailbox. 

Turns out applicants, named as William Fung and Steve Fung, appeared before Community Board 2 last fall for a new liquor license for the space and sidewalk cafe. 

There's now an SLA notice on the front window...

The application, found here, notes that this will be a "artisanal neighborhood pizzeria" with hours of noon to midnight.

This hyped Gino Sorbillo outpost arrived here in November 2017. 

The address was previously a carousel of pizza-tapas concepts between November 2014 and June 2015 ... this is when the address was divided into two spaces, where we had Forcella, Espoleta, Gia Trattoria, Slice of Naples, SRO and Bowery Pizza over the six-month period. 

New York Sal's Pizza bringing slices to 14th Street

Signage for New York Sal's Pizza arrived late last week at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (Thanks to Michael Paul for the photo!)

The signage is identical to the New York Sal's Pizza up on 10th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen. Not sure at the moment if this will be a second location or if they are relocating. (Going with new location!) Any slice connoisseurs know anything about New York Sal's?

This will mark the return of a pizzeria with Sal's in the name for the East Village ... going back to the Sal's on Avenue A (RIP 2012 after a long tenure in two different locations ... and not to be confused with the also-closed Fat Sal's on Avenue A).

Former Hotel Tortuga space now slinging 99-cent slices on 14th Street

A 99-cent sliceria is up and running now at 246 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... the name appears to be 99¢ Pizza with a special board highlighting 99¢ pizza. 

This space was previously Hotel Tortuga, the inexpensive Mexican restaurant that bowed out at the start of 2020 after 10 years in business under two sets of owners.

Il Mattone space now going as the Pizza Spot on East Houston

Slices have returned to the Il Mattone space on East Houston near Eldridge ... Mike Turkowitz, aka @hiphopmike, an on-air personality at Hot 97, has taken over the pizzeria ... and is running it as the Pizza Spot. 

He opened this past Thursday, and is serving up some nice-looking slices ... homemade cookies are in the works too...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🍕 The Pizza Spot 🍕 (@thepizzaspotnyc) on Sep 25, 2020 at 2:41pm PDT

The well-regarded Il Mattone first opened in Tribeca in 1992. This outpost debuted in May 2019 ... and had not reopened since the PAUSE went into effect back in March. 

La Mia Pizza debuts on 4th Avenue

La Mia Pizza is now open here on Fourth Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street for takeout, delivery and limited sidewalk seating ... as previously noted, this is an outpost of La Mia Pizza on First Avenue in Yorkville.

Check out their menu, which includes calzones, salads and wings, right here.

Pie by the Pound closed here in July 2019 after 17 years in business. A regular told us at the time that the lease was up, and the owner wanted to pursue other opportunities.

Here's the 99-Cent Pizza & Hot Dog signage on Avenue A

[Photos by Steven]

The signage arrived back on Friday here at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street...



Aside from pizza and hot dog, the small to-go shop will serve — per the sign — "sandwich, cheese bread and chicken wings."

And as previously noted, this will be the third 99-cent pizza shop on Avenue A between Houston and Ninth Street, joining Alphabet 99-Cent Fresh Pizza and 99¢ Pizza. (There's also FDR 99¢ Slice Pizza just off of A on Second Street.)

Your 99-cent pizza update on Avenue A

As a reminder (way back to March 11), a 99-cent pizza slice emporium is in the works for 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

The space is shaping up, as these photos via EVG 99-cent pizza slice emporium correspondent Steven show...



This must be a successful business model: This will be the third 99-cent pizza shop on Avenue A between Houston and Ninth Street, joining Alphabet 99-Cent Fresh Pizza and 99¢ Pizza. (There's also FDR 99¢ Slice Pizza just off of A on Second Street.)

More 99-cent pizza for Avenue A; plus hot dog

Blink and you may have missed this coming soon signage at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street... Incoming: 99-cent pizza and hot dog (singular)...



This will mark the third 99-cent pizza shop on Avenue A between Houston and Ninth Street, joining Alphabet 99-Cent Fresh Pizza and 99¢ Pizza. (There's also FDR 99¢ Slice Pizza just off of A on Second Street.)

The latest 99-cent pizza shop takes over the sliver of a space last leased by Sorbet Cray Cray.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

La Mia Pizza coming to 4th Avenue

Signage is now up on Fourth Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street, where La Mia Pizza will be setting up shop in the former Pie by the Pound space.

This appears to be an outpost of the La Mia Pizza on First Avenue in Yorkville. (EVG reader Jeanne Krier, who shared the above photo, has tried La Mia Pizza and likes it.)

Pie by the Pound closed here last July after 17 years in business. A regular told us that the lease was up, and the owner wanted to pursue other opportunities.

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!