Bruno Zachini
Pizza Bruno College Park
When Bruno Zacchini announced in March that he was opening a branch of Pizza Bruno in College Park, he was coy about the menu, saying he would be offering “some new things that you can’t get at our Curry Ford store.”
I hope you’re in your Juicy Couture tracksuits, because Zacchini will be serving New Jersey-style pizza, not Neapolitan, when his pizzeria at 2429 Edgewater Drive opens in early October.
Why jersey style?
“I spend a lot of time in Cape May County and South Jersey and wanted to express my love for Jersey-style pies,” says Zacchini. I wanted to aim for something different, something I like, and making New Jersey style cakes is my attempt to say that this isn’t New York style or Neapolitan.”
Unlike Zacchini’s Neapolitan wonders at Pizza Bruno on Curry Ford Road, his 16-inch contrarian pies at College Park undergo shorter dough fermentation, resulting in more browning for a crispier and slightly thicker crust. And the sauce goes the Jersey way on top of the cheese and toppings before firing at 600 degrees for 8-10 minutes in an electric MPM PizzaMaster Deck Oven.
Bruno Zachini
Pizza Bruno College Park
In addition to 16-inch pies, Pizza Bruno College Park offers fresh extruded pasta, small bites (like deep-fried squid), fresh mozzarella, salads, meatballs, soft serve ice cream for dessert, and a natural wine program, according to Zacchini.
But NO GARLIC KNOTS, though he’ll serve his garlicky knot sauce with “something,” a nod to the bread program, which will include seeded Italian rolls, focaccia, and other baked goods.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” says Zacchini. “We have a phenomenal baker, Greg Celino, who is our dough guru and head baker. [The bread program] will be his baby and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”
Pizza Bruno College Park has 42 to 36 seats in the dining room and an additional six at the bar. When the terrace opens sometime after opening in October, an additional 24 seats will be added.
Inside tables are reserveable only, while bar seating is first come, first served. And there will be no takeout for the first few weeks, and that includes third-party delivery services.
Bruno Zachini
Pizza Bruno College Park
“I just want to really nail the food, the service, and the experience first,” he says.
When he does, expect large-scale meals on weekends and lunchtime items like hoagies and slices on weekdays.
“I wanted to do something different with Pizza Bruno College Park, something different than Pizza Bruno Curry Ford,” says Zacchini. “The whole experience had to be different but impact in a good way.”
In the meantime, check out Pizza Bruno’s Instagram for all the opening details.
