STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Reggiano’s II of Great Kills has permanently closed its doors, bringing an end to the sit-down Italian restaurant that had become a fixture on Staten Island’s South Shore. The establishment at 4126 Hylan Blvd., which served its final meals on June 30, had built a reputation on brick oven pizzas and generous portions of Southern Italian cuisine.
On Tuesday morning, despite the restaurant’s lights being on, activity was limited to workers removing equipment and furniture. The once-inviting outdoor dining area now featured piled-up patio furniture, and a noticeable smell of rotting food permeated the space. Attempts to reach a spokesperson for the restaurant were unsuccessful.
Former bright spot
Reggiano’s II opened in July 2020 in a location previously occupied by Capizzi and, before that, La Bella’s. The Great Kills restaurant featured an expansive outdoor dining area that extended into the parking lot and operated daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., offering both delivery and takeout options.
When it first opened, the restaurant started with a limited menu of pizza and desserts before gradually expanding its offerings. Diners could watch as fresh mozzarella was made in front of them. Patrons could choose from pizzas ranging from traditional to more elaborate varieties, including a Fra Diavolo pie with mussels served in the shell and combinations featuring crumbled fennel sausage.
The restaurant was known for using house-brand olive oil and tomatoes imported directly from Italy. It stayed true to its namesake, a nod to Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, which servers noted was used in all their recipes. Signature dishes included Reggiano Wings, Prosciutto DiParma Pie, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken Parmigiana Hero, and classics like spaghetti and meatballs.
Various directions
Throughout its history, the restaurant experimented with various culinary directions. In its final months, it featured a $5 two slice-and-a-soda lunch special. At other points in the past few years, it offered a hot dog deal and a pastrami-themed sandwich menu.
Customer reviews were mixed. On Yelp, Jenny L praised the restaurant after attending an event there: “I came here for a kick-off dinner event for the Walk-to-end-Alzheimer’s. The ambiance was nice! The service was very friendly and efficient. The food was delicious! The calamari was crispy and light! We had a lovely pizza and penne a la vodka with a Caesar salad. This was a lovely setting for the kick-off dinner!”…