Sneak Peek at Pizzeoli

Pizzeoli will open in October 8th at the corner of 12th and Allen. The spot was most recently occupied by Arcelia's. Before that, it was home to Juniper Grill.

If you can remember Arcelia's, Pizzeoli will not be utilizing the main seating area of the space. Owner Scott Sandler plans to have 14 seats around tables set up as well as nine seats set around the bar. The main bar is the same as it had been in the space but without the clutter behind it. Pizzeoli will have six beer taps and a vintage Coca-Cola cooler behind the bar. From that cooler, Sandler will serve beverages such as Coker de Mexico and Fanta de Mexico, drinks sweetened with natural ingredients.

I got the opportunity to taste several pizzas during my visit there last week. The oven Sandler will using a Naples-style wood-fired oven for his pizza. This oven has a smaller mouth and a smaller dome than some of the other woo-fired ovens around. The oven can fully cook a pizza in about 60 seconds at around 800 degrees.

I'll admit Neapolitan pizza isn't my first choice when I go out. So, if you are looking for an in-depth and professional food review, I suggest you wait for Sauce, Feast, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch or the Riverfront Times to review it.

I really enjoyed the consistency of the crust Sandler uses. It folds well with the toppings, which is a plus. With a pinch of sea salt added to the crust right before it enters the oven, you get a good flavor from the crust. The Margherita pizza, the staple of any place of this nature, was excellent. The smoked mozzarella pie was really a treat. The cheese had a great consistency and tasted great. The perfect amount of smoked flavor. Sandler says he will be using local cheeses, but hasn't decided exactly yet on where he'll be getting it from.

Scott and I had a discussion a week or so prior to this about the lack of meat toppings on the menu. He told me he had a plan for that that I would probably be happy with. I was defiantly pleased when trying the finished product. The pizza on the menu is called The Soulard and will feature MATCH Italian sausage with a brushing of chili flakes.

A preliminary menu is available on the Pizzeoli website. 7 or 8 different pies will be available as well as a salad and a couple desserts. Pizzas will be 12 inches and cost between $9.95 for the Margherita and $13.95 for some of the more elaborate options. Hours are start out as Tuesday-Saturday from 5 pm - 9 pm. Lunch hours and Monday hours are possible in the future.

I look forward to being able to enjoy Pizzeoli Neapolitan pizza in mid-October in Soulard. Enjoy some pictures I took during my visit and take my word and try it when it opens. Be sure to follow Pizzeoli on Facebook.

Neapolitan Pizzeria PIZZEOLI coming to Soulard

PIZZEOLI, a Neapolitan Pizzeria, will be taking over the space on 12th and Allen previously occupied by Arcelia's and before that Juniper Grill.

Scott Sandler posted the following on the Soulard Saint Louis Facebook page today next to the picture of 1928 S. 12th.

Dear Soulard Community, I would like to announce that yesterday we signed a lease to open a Neapolitan Pizzeria in the old Arcelias/Juniper space. It will be called PIZZEOLI (Means "the pizza makers" in Italian, pronounced Pitzeeolee) (our own twist on the spelling). We will feature Neapolitan Pizzas with the highest quality ingredients, a fine selection of craft sodas, local beers and Italian wines. As much as possible will be locally sourced. We will be cruelty free but feature an amazing vegan sausage and fresh farm produce on our pizzas. We also be vegan friendly. Hand made dough of course and eventually hand made mozzarella and gelato. Pizza will be cooked in a 800-1000 degree wood fired oven.(no gas assist). First and foremost this will be a neighborhood place with community involvement. The offering will add a new style of pizza to the neighborhood taking nothing away from the excellent existing pizzerias. Stay tuned for a Facebook page, website, Twitter, Instagram and all that social media stuff with updates on our progress. We are honored to be joining the community. A lot of work to do!!! Here is a pic of the space

**UPDATE**

Scott doesn't want to give a projected opening date for PIZZEOLI as it is very early on in this project. Scott's background is in commercial real estate, where he has spent the last 15 years. He's been a self-described "general pizza enthusiast" for about the last 10 years. He's turned into a pretty serious home baker and pizza maker in that time. He says he's "pretty much perfected" his dough and "pizza-at-home" skills and is ready to move on to the next level.

Sandler will be traveling to California to take some formal training classes through Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. He will then move into apprenticing with a "very well-known Neapolitan pizza maker" for two months. In between that, Scott and his crew will be getting the space ready.

When asked how he decided on the space in Soulard, Sandler says the Soulard space really decided on him. He knew he wanted to be in a neighborhood within the city limits like Soulard, Lafayette Square, Dogtown, Central West End or the like, but he wasn't exactly sure where at first. His business plan called for taking over a space already built out for a restaurant and 1928 S. 12th fit that just right.

PIZZEOLI will just be taking over the 1928 part of the building at first. After settling in, the business will then look to take over the 1926 part as well.

Sandler seeks to address a "real gap and a hunger in the market" with PIZZEOLI that he sees within the city limits.   He pledged to keep iLoveSoulard updated throughout the project, including with things such as a website and social sites.

iLoveSoulard looks forward to this great addition to the neighborhood and hopes this early "press" reserves a spot on the "Official Taste-Tester" list.

Epic Pizza and Subs Opening This Month

Notice something strange about this picture hanging in Epic Pizza and Subs?  The Cardinals weren't in the 1949 World Series. The Birds were in 1st from Game #115- Game #153, but then lost 3 of 4 and the Brooklyn Dodgers were off to face the Yankees in the World Series.  How does this exist then?  You'll have to go in to Epic Pizza and Subs on 9th next to International Tap House to get the whole story from the owners. Lots of great pictures and art hanging on the walls.  Word is the joint will open Nov. 28th. I was invited over the weekend to sample some food as they were testing recipes.  The burger was juicy and flavorful with a little bit of bit.  The wood-fired grill will cook a pizza in two minutes or less. Food will be available later than most anywhere else in Soulard once Epic gets up and going.  Look for good things out of this place.

Tuesday means $1 Burgers, $10 Pizza, and $3 Missouri Beers

Here's the 3 best deals in Soulard today, as judged by me off the top of my head:

• $1 Burgers at Llywelyn's--6p-10p.  It's $1 per burger and extra for toppings and side.
• $10 Pizza at Feraro's--Best pizza in the area, hands down.  $10 gets you a 14inch 3-topping pizza on Tuesdays.  You can even have it delivered to.....
• $3 Missouri Beers at International Tap House--8p-close all Missouri beers are $3 in drafts and 12 oz bottles.  This does not include A-B beers because obviously that is a Belgian beer.  Branch out from the usual Schlafly and Boulevard and try something from Six  Row or Charleville. 

Tuesday Pizza Special at Feraro's

If you haven't had Feraro's Pizza yet, you aren't getting the full Island experience.

Try Feraro's on a Tuesday and get a sweet deal. $10 for a 14-inch 3-topping pizza. The meatballs as a topping are amazing. The meatballs are an old family recipe that Jon then slices thin for the pizza. Delicious.

Other Tuesday specials:

Llywelyn's $1 Burgers 6p-10p (This special is ending soon I hear)
iTap $3 Missouri beers 8p-close

Trueman's Place

Trueman's Place is just a short walk over the Sidney Street bridge. Here are some food specials:

• Mon.-Fri. 4p-6p Ribeye Steak w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans $7.99
• Sat, Sun 11a-5p large 1-topping pizza $5.99

DJ every Fri and Sat night with shot and drink specials too

Receive a free 9" pizza for going to their website and signing up with your email address

Trueman's also runs a shuttle for every Rams, Blues, and Cardinals game

Best Pizza in Soulard

The Best Pizza in Soulard, hands down:

Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza 314-588-8345
http://ferarospizza.com/

Buy a whole pizza, or just by the slice.  Try the meatball pizza.  They take the old family recipe meatballs and slice them real thin for the pie.

Their Cannolis rank as one of the best desserts in Soulard as well.

Great lunch specials starting around $5.  Outside dining available.  Not Open Mondays.  Delivery available