ELMIRA, NY (WENY) — Clemens Square in downtown Elmira is taking shape as another business owner is getting ready to open their doors.
“We bring a piece of Napoli [Italy] to Elmira. We make authentic Neapolitan pizza and original Italian food… I want people to know it’s good, authentic real Neapolitan pizza,” said the Owner of Gildo’s Restaurant & Neapolitan Pizzeria, Gildo Gallo.
It’s a new addition to Clemens Square, but it’s the traditional method that could make this spot stand out.
“This is the last business to be renovated in here in 1 Clemens Square. We opened Centertown Social, gaming, bowling, the Sweet Spot Ice Cream Parlor, and pretty soon the Handsome Face Salon will be opening… I desired to bring an authentic Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza place to Elmira… What Gildo makes is distinctly different than what everything else is being made in Elmira. We thought this was a great spot to put it in; it kind of completes the set of businesses we have in this block,” said Jim Capriotti, the owner of Capriotti Properties.
The wood-fired brick oven weighs about 4,000 pounds; Gallo flew to Italy to have it custom-made for his restaurant. He believes this will set his pizza apart from others.
“I know the American people like a little bit crispy pizza, but I make half and half. I make Neapolitan style, but with the oven I don’t put a lot of heat, because I want the bottom of the pizza coming out a little bit crispy because American people like it more,” said Gallo.
Capriotti added, “This was the original wood-fired pizza oven that’s used in Italy when they began doing this style of pizza there… The oven does make the difference. The flour is going to be different than what other people use as well. But really, at the end of the day it really does make the difference for the pizza.”
Gallo said he chose to open this business in Elmira because living in the Bronx was too busy for him and his family.
“I want to bring Italy to this place… I want a lot of people to come inside and try… I want all the people to come because I want them to taste the original Italian food,” said Gallo.
Capriotti and Gallo said the goal is to open in early/mid-September.
