Garalino's on East Jefferson Will Be Revived as Belle Isle Pizza

Pizza is coming to West Village. Partners Leor Barak and Dave Essig are in the process of cleaning and renovating the shuttered Garalino's on East Jefferson as Belle Isle Pizza. "I live in the neighborhood and I used to always come and eat pizza here and I totally miss it," Barak tells Eater of his decision to revamp the eatery.

The restaurant menu will include three styles of pizza — a hand-tossed round, thin-crust, and Detroit-style — as well as sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, turkey burgers, and desserts. Barak and Essig have hired a chef to help design their signature gourmet pizzas including cornerstones like meat lovers ("Hog Island") and Hawaiian ("Belle Hawaiiland"), and a four-cheese white ("Lady in White"). "We've got a really clear vision of pizza and quality and what we want to offer," Barak says. Belle Isle Pizza will offer carry-out and delivery options.

So far, the community's reaction to recipes have been positive, says Barak who has served pizzas at several recent neighborhood meetings and business events. "I'm just passionate about pizza and passionate about food and our neighborhood," says Barak.

The pair are working with Sit On It Detroit to build benches for the restaurant, incorporating reclaimed wood in the entry, updating the sign, and replacing the floors. Barring delays with city inspections, Belle Isle Pizza is expected to open in August with limited hours.