Less than a month after the short-lived restaurant Munchies Korner closed its doors at the corner of East 85th Street and First Avenue, Giacomo’s Pizza has arrived. Friday marked the new pizzeria’s second day in business and Upper East Site paid the shop a visit to find out if their slices make the cut.
Construction workers are still putting the finishing touches on the restaurant, located at 1505 Third Avenue, and remnants of the prior concept remain visible — part of the large ‘K’ that was painted on the exterior of Munchies Korner still covers the window and part of an exterior wall on East 85th Street.
Step inside Giacomo’s Pizza and you’ll find a large display case to the right, just like those found in a typical slice shop, filled with a variety of options — including specialty pies like the earthy truffle mushroom, savory artichoke dip or the spicy Buffalo chicken ranch — ready to pop in the piping hot oven behind the counter and serve to customers.
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Upper East Site tried the plain slice and the truffle mushroom slice from Giacomo’s and can report that the pizza definitely does not disappoint.
While it won’t win the award for the best slice on the UES, it is a very good piece of pizza. The tomato sauce is tangy and sweet, served on a crispy, chewy crust with just the right amount of cheese.
As inflation continues to take a bite out of family budgets, a meal at Giacomo’s Pizza wont break the bank. A plain slice will set you back $3.25, while a specialty slice runs $5 — on par with other pizzerias in the neighborhood.
More than just a slice shop, Giacomo’s offers a full menu packed with Buffalo wings, soups, salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes — all priced reasonably for the neighborhood.
The transition from a restaurant with romantic ambiance serving elevated American fare with memorable drinks to becoming your standard neighborhood pizzeria was a fast one.
Munchies Korner was an extension of Jaques Brasserie next door, founded as part of the restaurant’s 25th anniversary, but apparently never really took off with customers — some said it was usually empty inside, while others criticized the name and decor.
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Just a few weeks ago, the windows at Munchies were covered over with brown paper and a goodbye note was posted on the door.
“It has been our pleasure to have served you, but it is with heavy hearts that we are officially closing down Munchies Korner to make way for Giacomo’s Pizza,” the note read.
Giacomo’s opening now fills a void along that stretch of Third Avenue, which has lacked a pizza shop between East 81st and 94th Streets since Roma’s moved to First Avenue in 2021.
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