Supino Pizzeria Owner Plots Second Italian Restaurant in New Center

The owner of Eastern Market favorite Supino Pizzeria is planning to add another restaurant to his roster — this time in New Center. Dave Mancini tells Metro Times he’s betting big on the fast-developing neighborhood and plans to open another as-of-yet-unnamed Italian restaurant with pizzas and pastas along Woodward Avenue.

Unlike Supino’s Eastern Market building that recently sold to real estate investors for $20 million, Mancini owns the 2,300-square-foot New Center building at 6519 Woodward Ave. That provides some security for the new business, whereas the nearly 10-year-old Supino is susceptible to rising rents.

While the specifics haven’t been finalized, the new restaurant is expected to seat up to 60 people with an additional 8 seats at the bar. Mancini also plans to dedicate part of the space to catering. He estimates that it will open next summer at the earliest.

Mancini previously opened a second restaurant called La Rondinella in the space next to Supino. The renovations took nearly 2 years to complete and, although the restaurant’s Italian menu was well-received by critics, it closed a few days after its one-year anniversary. Mancini converted the space into an expanded dining area and bar for Supino and it’s been packed ever since.

The addition of a new Italian restaurant project adds another angle to the developments happening in New Center. The neighborhood is experiencing a boom in new restaurant and bar projects such as Baobab Fare, Brix Wine & Charcuterie Boutique, and a new restaurant from the partners behind Selden Standard. However, the area has been fickle when it comes to new businesses. Cafe Con Leche, the Zenith, and most recently Atomic Chicken all struggled to find a regular clientele in the neighborhood.

• Supino Pizzeria Is Planning to Open a New Center Location in 2019 [MT]
• All Supino Pizzeria Coverage [ED]
• All Coming Attractions Coverage [ED]