{"id":117239,"date":"2026-01-30T10:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T10:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/117239\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T10:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T10:54:09","slug":"whats-new-in-staten-island-food-reopenings-rebrandings-and-a-restaurant-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/117239\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s new in Staten Island food: Reopenings, rebrandings and a restaurant shutdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 If your tummy\u2019s grumbling for a little food news, here\u2019s your rundown. From a handoff of the reins in Dongan Hills to a Tottenville restaurant rebrand\u2014plus a little muscle from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene\u2014it\u2019s a mozzarella moment and beyond. Here\u2019s what\u2019s cooking across the borough.<\/p>\n

\"Baci\"With new ownership, Baci restaurant can be found at 1657 Richmond Rd., Dongan Hills. It is the former home of two other restaurant iterations including Mario’s and Espana Royale.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)1. Baci Ristorante changes hands but keeps its Italian classics<\/p>\n

1657 Richmond Rd. | 718-316-9707 | Dongan Hills<\/p>\n

bacinyc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Baci has some new leadership, as per the Baci staff and social media posts. Baci debuted with fanfare in 2020 in the throes of the pandemic,<\/a> when an open\u2011air celebration introduced the full\u2011service dining room<\/a> and cocktail lounge to the former home of acclaimed Mario\u2019s and, prior to that, Espana Royale. Reimagined by Alessandro Borgognone\u2014of the former Chumley\u2019s<\/a> and the still\u2011acclaimed D.C. and Big Apple-anchored Sushi Nakazawa<\/a>\u2014Baci has always aimed high. The address has seen its share of headlines over the years<\/a>, including a fire<\/a> and a robbery<\/a>. Baci moves forward with its new leadership continuing with a rooftop deck, private rooms and Italian fare at the core of its reputation.<\/p>\n

\"Vesuvio\"Vesuvio Trattoria & Pizzeria has opened in Tottenville in the former KeKe\u2019s space, bringing drool\u2011worthy pies built on a signature crust and distinct sauces designed to match.(Courtesy of Vesuvio)2. KeKe\u2019s becomes Vesuvio Trattoria & Pizzeria<\/p>\n

7423 Amboy Rd. | 718-554-4134 | Tottenville<\/p>\n

whereyoueat.com\/Vesuvio-Trattoria-&-Pizzeria-35339.html<\/a><\/p>\n

KeKe\u2019s Grab and Go has officially transformed into Vesuvio Trattoria & Pizzeria, taking over the former Gigi & KeKe\u2019s space. The refreshed spot now serves a fuller Italian menu\u2014appetizers, panini, specialty pies like the MVP Sicilian and Brooklyn Pie, plus entr\u00e9es from chicken parm to seafood fra diavolo. It\u2019s not affiliated with the Bay Ridge Vesuvio. <\/p>\n

\"7<\/p>\n

The Ramirez family has taken an all\u2011hands\u2011on\u2011deck approach since launching the business in 2019, working to maintain a distinct and expansive inventory. The quick\u2011serve operation carries more than 100 items, continuing long\u2011standing traditions while evolving with demand.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)3. Roberto\u2019s Gourmet Kitchen maintains its vast offerings.<\/p>\n

2048 Victory Blvd. | 718-524-7530 | Westerleigh<\/p>\n

robertosgourmetkitchensi.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

Roberto\u2019s opened in late 2019<\/a> with a global\u2011meets\u2011comfort\u2011food approach and a \u201cwe\u2019ll make whatever you want\u201d attitude. The four\u2011table Castleton Corners shop, co\u2011owned by brothers Roberto and Victor Ramirez, has evolved into an international smorgasbord shaped by customer requests and kitchen know\u2011how. Victor still cooks select Italian dishes using recipes passed down from the late Mary Siep of Forest Gardens fame. Roberto\u2019s is open six days a week with extensive takeout, serving from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.<\/p>\n

\"FriedFried chicken with potatoes two ways is among the new menu items at Harvest Cafe in New Dorp Beach.(Courtesy of Harvest Cafe)4. Harvest Caf\u00e9 returns \u2014now with dinner service<\/p>\n

694 New Dorp Ln. | 347-857-6888 | New Dorp Beach<\/p>\n

avspny.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Harvest Caf\u00e9 is now serving dinner following its recent reopening, unveiling a full new evening menu that highlights dishes like House Pasta, Fried Chicken Dinner and Garden Risotto. The caf\u00e9 has also introduced a refreshed cocktail menu, plus monthly drink specials. Hours run Wednesday\u2013Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dinner offered Thursday\u2013Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. Next up: a Super Bowl menu and a Valentine\u2019s Day three\u2011course special for 79.95 per couple. Alongside cocktails, the caf\u00e9 also pours a wide selection of non\u2011alcoholic beverages, including shakes.<\/p>\n

\"7Giuseppe \u201cJoe Mozz\u201d Badalamenti\u2014better known as Joe Mozz \u2014 rocks the house with custom cheese cutouts for reveal parties and special occasions. He also hosts mozzarella\u2011making classes.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)5. Joe Mozz is the cheese master<\/p>\n

1021 Post Ave. | 917-626-2813 | Port Richmond<\/p>\n

Joe Mozz Inc.<\/p>\n

From stuffed cheeses and scamorza to custom\u2011shaped cutouts, <\/a>Joe Mozz has been quietly turning out Staten Island dairy magic from his Post Avenue storefront since 2010. A mozzarella maven<\/a>, Joe built the business hand\u2011crafting knots, braids and burrata, now supplying about 2,600 pounds of pizza cheese weekly to restaurants across the borough. The shop opens to the public Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

Joe also teaches mozzarella\u2011making classes, including a Feb. 7 session at Vino Di Vino Winery in Charleston<\/a>\u2014a $100, hands\u2011on evening with tastings, snacks (cheese, naturally) and wine. Because Joe Mozz is a USDA facility, classes are held in a separate storefront next door on Post Ave. Bonus: his house-made caponata is sold by the jar.<\/p>\n

\"MasalaMasala Island is closed temporarily.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)6. Health Department shuts down Masala Island after major violations<\/p>\n

323 Victory Blvd. | 718-420-0919 | Tompkinsville<\/p>\n

masalaharbor.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

Masala Island, which opened last year in the former famed Dosa Garden space, was temporarily closed by the city<\/a> on Jan. 13, 2026, after inspectors cited 54 violation points. A follow\u2011up inspection on Jan. 21 found similar issues including pest activity, food\u2011handling and sanitation violations\u2014keeping the restaurant closed pending corrections and clearance from a subsequent inspection. It is uncommon for a Staten Island restaurant to face multiple closures <\/a>in such a short span.<\/p>\n

\"Subway\"Subway of South Beach has gone dark at the moment. (Advance\/SILive.com | File Photo)7. Subway in South Beach closes temporarily<\/p>\n

The Subway at 329 Sand Lane in South Beach appears to have shut its doors \u2014at least for now. Whether the closure is permanent, part of a relocation, or tied to a franchise transition remains unclear. The location\u2019s most recent Health Department inspection resulted in an A grade, and the franchise is listed as \u201cclosed\u201d on Subway\u2019s website. A request for clarification was sent to the company\u2019s press team but was not returned by deadline. In the meantime, readers in the neighborhood were the first to flag the darkened storefront.<\/p>\n