You are reading

Popular Sunnyside Pizzeria Closes, Owner Opening New Restaurant in Italy

A beloved pizzeria in Sunnyside (R) has shuttered after a four-year run and its owner David Acocella (L) is moving to Italy to open a new restaurant. (Photo: Instagram (L) and Google Maps (R))

Oct. 17, 2022 By Michael Dorgan

A much-lauded pizzeria in Sunnyside has shuttered and its owner is moving to Italy to open a new restaurant.

Philomena’s, located at 41-16 Queens Blvd., closed Friday after a four-year run. The pizzeria announced via a series of Instagram posts last week that its owner Dave Acocella is moving overseas.

“Dave Acocella, is taking full advantage [of] a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and moving to Naples, Italy to open a pizzeria!!!” the restaurant posted.

“Sure, it’s a bit longer than a 7 train ride away, but think of how much more fun you will have munching on Dave’s New York-style Neapolitan 12″ pies in ACTUAL NAPLES!!!”

Philomena’s was known for its New York-style pizza that was made with a special dough using natural yeast. The pies were baked in an electric oven capable of high temperatures, which resulted in a balanced, light, and airy pizza, Acocella told the Sunnyside Post in 2018.

Customers could purchase full pies, square pies and slices. The pies came in a variety of flavors including classics such as the “Neapolitan margherita” and the “beef pepperoni.”

The eatery also offered funky varieties such as the “ninja turtle,” “dragon breath,” “raging bull” and the “spicy Mikey.”

Acocella said the pizzeria slung its final slices Friday in a final-day celebration. The eatery was forced to close at 6 p.m. as it ran out of pizza due to high demand. It was initially scheduled to stay open until 10 p.m., he said.

“Surprised but grateful for such [an] overwhelming turnout,” Acocella wrote on Instagram.

“Showing your love for our pizza in full force, it was an honor making pizza for all that walked thru our doors yesterday and everyday over the past 4 years.”

Philomena’s was hugely popular among residents. It had a 5-star review on Google (out of a possible 5) based on 231 reviews.

Last year the establishment was listed as one of the top pizzerias in New York State by Food & Wine Magazine.

The restaurant thanked all of its customers for supporting the business.

“Words cannot express how much these four fantastic years at 41-16 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, Queens have meant to us,” a post on the company’s Instagram page read.

“We have felt the ?❤  every minute and we truly thank you all.”

Acocella said he will return to the neighborhood during the holidays and plans to organize a few pizza pop-up restaurants, although he did not provide any details.

“Stay tuned, my pizza journey is just starting,” Acocella wrote.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dave Acocella (@daveacocella)

email the author: news@queenspost.com

10 Comments

Click for Comments 
Warren

Wonderful pizza, with “Spikey Mikey” my special favorite. Relatively new when the Pandemic started and forced long closure and just semi-reopening. Will be much missed, as menu was unique for the area.

Reply
Zinsu

All I can say is, thank goodness for Enzo! Best of luck in Italy, and thanks for all the great pies.

4
3
Reply
David Smith

I wonder how long he’ll last in southern Italy? I’ve had pizza at L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Naples, a city where there’s no shortage of really good pizza. Good luck!

1
2
Reply
Joe

Dave had a great business with delicious pizza. He’s also one of the nicest people and hard worker. I can only wish him and his family the best on his move and new life in Italy!

10
1
Reply
Pliny the Younger

Geologically speaking, Vesuvius is getting close to another Pompeii level eruption.

Reply
lucky number 7 train

will be missed very much. Such great pizza! with kind people. Best of lucky in Naples.

11
3
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

City debunks drone reports over LaGuardia after real emergency unfolds in Queens skies

As drone hysteria swept from New Jersey across the Hudson River to New York City on Thursday night, fueled by online reports of nearly a dozen large drones spotted over Queens, a genuine emergency unfolded in the skies above the borough.

The Port Authority and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a flight out of LaGuardia Airport earlier in the evening was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport after a bird strike blew out an engine on the aircraft.

Op-ed: A new JFK Airport is a doorway to opportunity for local and diverse businesses

Dec. 12, 2024 By Elena Barcenas and Loycent Gordon

As successful small business owners here in Queens, we join all New Yorkers in looking forward to the transformation of JFK International Airport into the world-class airport our city deserves. But a new JFK will serve as more than a global gateway for travelers—for local and minority-owned businesses like ours, it will be a doorway to life-changing opportunities.