I'm not sure the pizza business in Clayton has ever seen so much action.
Six weeks ago, the Clayton Imo's moved from a somewhat-hidden-from-view location at 7359 Forsyth to a more centralized, but still somewhat sleepy building at 23 N. Bemiston (right across from the Post Office).
Then, just last week, a flue fire damaged the building that Il Vicino occupies on the corner of Central and Forsyth. Both San Sai and Il Vicino will be closed for at least several more weeks (and rumors are swirling that neither will reopen at all, pending the ultimate damage done to the building).
Earlier today, Sauce announced that Vito Racanelli will open an Italian eatery in the space most recently occupied by the Carondelet Grill...and yes indeedy, pizza will be part of that menu mix as well. .
And now, just a short time ago, Relish learned that Manjelou's Pizzeria (no website yet, but this gets you close) will open at 8135 Forsyth "any day now," pending--wait for it--final inspections, according to owner Milan Manjencich (Manjelou's is a smoosh of the two owners' names). Up until a few days ago, the location was home to Gourmet FoodWorks Deli, a division of Gourmet FoodWorks Corporate Catering, the outfit who also renovated and runs the Bevo Mill. Manjencich conceded that "the Clayton breakfast business proved to be a hard one to crack" and that "we were also one of about 10 nearby delis as well." Hence the shift to the not-so-crowded-in-Clayton pizza segment.
Manjelou's will feature both hand-tossed and Chicago-style, deep-dish pies, with a choice of mozzarella or provel (OK, who's gonna be the first to ask for provel cheese on a deep-dish pie? You won't be happy.) The menu shows promise, with a stated emphasis on "green, organic, and local." The pizzas are value-priced, and available in as large as 18" rounds as well as slices; toppings run the gamut from pinched fresh sausage and Hill-produced pepperoni to Clayton-ized items like broccoli florets, feta cheese, and Honey Baked Ham. A vegetarian pizza will be available by the slice as well; both vegan and gluten-free options are in the works, too.
Many of GFW's favorite (and quick-to-produce) sandwiches and salads have made the jump, and with the addition of "Momma's Pastas" and several kinds of homemade ravioli, Manjelou's is positioning itself for the one-hour lunch crowd and for families as well. To cover those bases, Manjencich has elected to open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, noting that "there's nowhere in Clayton to feed a family for a reasonable price." Agreed. The Shaw Park pool's snack bar has closed for the season.
