The Grimaldi’s Pizza headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona has never managed the original, foot-of-the-Brooklyn-Bridge location, which operated as an independent pizza shop until recently. However, Grimaldi’s has announced that its iconic 1 Front St. pizza shop will now be managed in Arizona as well, and will reopen on March 29 after renovations are complete. The restaurant, located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, will feature two floors of rustic, family-friendly décor, signature red and white gingham tablecloths, wine bottle chandeliers, and black and white photographs of Brooklyn that evoke the location’s storied past.
“We are very excited to welcome the original, historic Grimaldi’s location into our company,” says Joey Ciolli, chief executive officer of Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. “The Brooklyn pizzeria is the inspiration for all of our other locations, and we look forward to continuing to serve the iconic Grimaldi’s coal-fired, brick-oven pizzas at the 1 Front St. location that generations have come to love.”
One Front Street’s interior incorporates an open kitchen concept that allows guests to see the art of pizza making firsthand. Chefs will toss their pies right in front of diners and then let Grimaldi’s iconic pizza-making tools do the rest of the work. Famous wood-burning ovens will reach 1,200 degrees to give each pie its unique smoky crust, while handmade mozzarella, “secret recipe” sauce, and a 100-year-old dough recipe will give each slice the flavor Grimaldi’s customers have come to love.
Besides pizza, 1 Front St. will serve authentic Italian favorites like calzones and antipasto, as well as specialty desserts that are made in-house daily. Grimaldi’s has been making pizza in the same way since it began in Naples, Italy. The New York mainstay has earned more awards than any other pizzeria, and Zagat has consistently rated Grimaldi’s pies as the best in the city.
A handmade canoli on Grimaldi’s signature gingham table cloth. Photo courtesy Rachel Ayotte.
