Photo from Black Cat Pizza Facebook page
The popular pop-up pizza joint that got its start at Stir Crazy Baked Goods is nearing the opening date of a location it can call all its own.
Jaime Fernandez — former chef at 44Bootlegger, a concept that made several transitions before it closed last year on Magnolia Avenue — plans to open Black Cat Pizza by the first week in May at 401 Bryan Ave.
Black Cat Pizza will serve brick oven creations that Fernandez says most resemble New York-style pizzas. The restaurant will offer pizza two ways — as a whole 18-inch pie or by the slice. Along with a couple of specials, Fernandez plans to offer five variations to start:
- A classic cheese with tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan and asiago cheeses
- Pepperoni with tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone and pepperoni
- Pepperoni and mushroom, which adds marinated mushrooms to the mix
- The specialty, TMNT, with pesto sauce, mozzarella, provolone, arugula, kale and seasonal green vegetables (snow peas, zucchini, chayote squash) topped with marcona almonds
- The spicy Red Fang, featuring spicy tomato sauce, Spanish chorizo, Fresno chile, red onion and a drizzle of Thai chili honey
The rest of the menu includes a cold Italian hero, a meatball sub, a Caesar salad, a Greek salad and a special seasonal salad. He will have two pastas on the menu, as well as a Bolognese and cacio e pepe (the ever-popular dish tossed with cracked pepper and Romano cheese) and a couple of rotating desserts.
Black Cat will be housed in the same building as Funky Picnic Brewery & Café, formerly known as The Fort Brewing Company, but both tenants will have separate entrances. The brewery is aiming for an end of May opening.
Fernandez says the space is relatively small but cozy, with bench seating (pews) along a wall with tables and chairs. It has a small, partially covered patio. Black Cat will offer beer and wine only but plans to serve the "wee-hours crowd" on the weekends.
Hours will be Monday – Thursday, 11a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.
