PrintOpenings: Cronkite
Michael Ayoub (left), the pizzaiolo behind Williamsburg's Fornino, will be opening a Manhattan location on November 6.
To be called Cronkite Pizzeria & Wine Bar, it will be located at 133 Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side [map].
"The neon sign is on its way as we speak," Mr. Ayoub said by phone from the new pizzeria.
Unlike Fornino, which uses a custom-built gas-assisted wood oven, Cronkite's pizza cooker will be a custom-made gas-fired brick-lined oven from Marsal & Sons. "I wanted to do a wood oven here, but the DEP didn't want to hear any of it," Mr. Ayoub said. "I can get the temperature with gas—700 degrees on the deck—and I'll still use DOC tomatoes, make my own mozzarella, use all the same artisanal ingredients as Fornino. The difference is going to be negligible."
What will be different is that Mr. Ayoub adds a significant wine element to this venture. He has hired former Jean-Georges sommelier Raoul Segarra as manager and wine director and will have 70 wines on the list, 18 by the glass.
Desserts at Cronkite will be more playful. Zeppole with Nutella is a planned item, and Mr. Ayoub has also purchased a cotton candy machine for the restaurant.
The joint will offer delivery and takeout, and will be open 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
One last question, though. Why Cronkite?
"It's a bit of a joke. One of my business partners thought it was the farthest thing from 'pizza' you could get," Mr. Ayoub said. "He's an artist."
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2 Comments:
Does this make Michael Ayoub "the most trusted pizza man in America"? Is that the way it is? I'm imagining a day fifty years from now when a pizza place is named "Couric." Paley and Murrow, are already spinning in their graves.
seltzerboy at 5:26PM on 10/30/06
When they open up a joint called Huntley-Brinkley, then I may go.
Slice Dave W at 3:43PM on 11/09/06