Neapolitan pizza fans can soon get their fix in Soulard when pizza enthusiast Scott Sandler opens Pizzeoli in early to mid-November. Located at 1928 S. 12th St., Pizzeoli will specialize in traditional Neapolitan pies cooked in the restaurant’s 800-degree wood-burning oven. “It’s sort of an art,” he said. “It’s my favorite type of pizza. It’s the original pizza.”
Sandler will also serve as the head chef. Pizzeoli is his first foray into the restaurant industry, but he said he has cooked pizzas at home for more than 10 years. Next week, he flies to Los Angeles to train at Accademia della Pizza Napoletana run by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, an international nonprofit dedicated to teaching the art of traditional Neapolitan pizza-making.
Pizzeoli’s small menu will reflect the simple, traditional offerings at pizzerias in Naples, including a classic Margherita with house-made mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce. Sandler also hopes to carry one or two vegan-friendly options and is currently on the hunt for a vegan mozzarella substitute. To cap off the dining experience, Italian wines and local craft beers and Budweiser will be served.
The new space, formerly Arcelia’s Mexican, will seat approximately 25 people inside and 30 people outside. He believes Pizzeoli will fill a void in St. Louis city for high quality pizza. “It just happened to be the location that clicked and just everything worked,” he said. “And I’m really happy to be there because it’s such a strong community and really supportive, even already.”
This article appears in August 2014.