New News: Piatti, Slice Pizza & Takeout Juggernaut
I’ve got three fast “breaking news” updates for you.
1. Piatti Laguna Beach announces Michelin Chef Claudio Dell’Anno
Incoming Piatti (222 Ocean Ave.) is currently doing orientation for its new staff. When I dropped in this morning, Assistant General Manager Phil Papillon told me that the restaurant hopes to be open to the public in the first week of June. Key to that operation, of course, is the chef! It seems they’ve chosen quite well with their selection of Michelin-starred Chef Claudio Dell’Anno.
Chef Claudio earned his Michelin star while operating the acclaimed Ciccio restaurant in his home country of Belgium. He also gained recognition there for winning a Belgian TV cooking competition. His brother brought Chef Claudio to the U.S. in 2016 when he and his restaurateur business partner were opening their Sangers and Joe sandwich shop in Old Town Pasadena.
After consulting on the menu there, Chef moved in 2017 to WeHo’s popular Papilles (which, sadly, just closed last month). A year later, Chef then popped up to San Francisco’s renowned Trestle, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award there just a year later.
More on Chef Claudio and his plans for the new restaurant’s menu shortly!
2. Slice Pizza + Beer Will Have New Caretakers in Late Summer
After nearly 8 years as owners and operators of Slice Pizza + Beer, Cary and Suzanne Redfearn are selling the concept to a family-owned business.
With escrow just underway, the formal transfer should take place in a couple months. The new owners will be keeping the same concept in play, and they're keeping the employees, too - daily operations will be overseen by the daughter in the family, who has a real love for the food business and unique concepts. (And Slice's super menu of high-quality ingredients along with its first-in-the-city Beer Wall is definitely one of our more fun and unique concepts.)
"There's a lot we have going on with Lumberyard, and I'm always tweaking and implementing fresh ideas in the concept here," Cary told me this morning. "Even with Slice just across the street, we felt that Slice deserves more owner/operator attention in the years ahead. It's been a great little nook for our residents, their families and our visitors, and I know I'll still be trotting across the street for my favorite pizza," he said.
Best way to show Cary and Suzanne our appreciation
for creating this 8-year - and 2nd successful concept - in town?
KEEP VISITING & supporting Slice Pizza!
And, as the new owners begin to integrate into the restaurant, let's welcome them warmly and KEEP supporting Slice Pizza so that we all keep this phenomenal pizza place thriving.
3. New Podcast Episode Today: When Takeout’s on Point, Everyone Eats Happy
Bruce Russo (North America’s G.O.A.T. in restaurant design and build) and I just dropped our latest podcast episode at “Mastering Restaurant Revenue” - it’s all about creating a masterful takeout program. Often regarded as a nice little add-on, a restaurant’s "takeout" program can actually be a juggernaut for restaurants and their valued patrons, alike.
Behind the scenes, efficient takeout can make or break a restaurant’s rhythm – and I know you patrons out there can feel it, too. Here’s how to get it right, from the first ring to the final pickup. Check it out here at our YouTube channel (and please subscribe and share!)
P.S. YUZU Sushi is coming along …
I popped into the sushi place that will soon be opening in the former Sushi Laguna restaurant (231 Ocean Ave.). The renovation crew is making great progress and I have calls into the owner for more details. My personal bet … I’d say they’ll be ready to open in early July.
