This is somewhat unexpected and definitely really cool: Rizzo’s Fine Pizza, which has been in business on Steinway Street since 1959, is expanding to Manhattan. The new restaurant will open this spring at 17 Clinton Street, formerly home to Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli’s tapas restaurant Francesca, which closed last fall. Rizzo’s, which has been owned by the same family for the last 54 years, is considered a neighborhood institution and is known best for its square pies: A Slice report from 2010 gave its Sicilian slices high marks, and New York’s own Rob and Robin once noted the pizzeria’s crusts were “perfect.” The new Rizzo’s will include a wine bar and also serve craft beer. We’ll be sure to let you know more details once we hear more. [Earlier]
