Bloomingdale Pizza to Bring its Authentic, NY-Style Pie to FishHawk

Right now, residents with a craving for authentic New York-style pizza have to travel down Bell Shoals Road to .

But, that'll change with the opening of FishHawk Pizza next month.

The new pizza parlor will be located at 15260 FishHawk Blvd., in the space previously occupied by .

A 33-year resident of Brandon and 18-year restaurateur, Al Carapella purchased Bloomingdale Pizza, 4334 Bell Shoals Rd., five years ago, transforming it into a neighborhood pizza parlor reminiscent of those he grew up with in New York City.

Since then, Bloomingdale Pizza has become a popular community gathering spot featuring New York-style pizza as well as a variety of freshly made Italian specialties.

In addition, Carapella's commitment to the community through spirit night fundraisers and sponsoring sports teams has earned him a loyal clientele.

Ten-year FishHawk resident and former restaurateur Lou Bevilacqua was on the search for the authentic New York-style pizza he grew up with when he discovered Bloomingdale Pizza.

"I was a customer, and Al and I became friends," said Bevilacqua. "Then one day he asked me if I had any interest in opening a place in FishHawk."

The idea immediately took root, said Carapella.

"It just made sense," he said. "We were already getting a lot of customers from FishHawk, and this would allow us to serve that community and take some of the load off the Bloomingdale location."

Like at Bloomingdale Pizza, the two men are hoping to make FishHawk Pizza the hangout in that community.

"We want to be your neighborhood pizza place," said Carapella.

To that end, the new pizza parlor will duplicate the menu and community commitment of Bloomingdale Pizza, although Bevilacqua plans to add a "couple of surprises" to the FishHawk Pizza menu.

"We want to provide the same quality food and atmosphere Bloomingdale Pizza provides," he said.

However, at 2,800 square feet, FishHawk Pizza will be a bit larger than the Bloomingdale restaurant and will feature more outdoor seating.

Like the Bloomingdale restaurant, it will have a game room for the kids and will offer delivery throughout the area.

Carapella believes its quality ingredients and a fresh product that attracts customers back to Bloomingdale Pizza.

"And we'll offer that same quality at the new place, including fresh meat and vegetables at a reasonable price," said Carapella. "We won't have any entree over $10."

"One of the advantages of our restaurant experience is that we have a good idea of what people want and are willing to deliver it tenfold at a decent price," said Bevilacqua.

Bevilacqua, who previously had his own upscale Italian restaurant in South Tampa, said the new pizza parlor fits in with his passion for people and good food.

"I love to make people happy," he said. "Food has always been a big part of my family"

"I'm very excited about this," said Carapella. "It's enjoyable to have a partner who gets into this as much as you do."

In addition to New York-style pizza, the new restaurant will feature Sicilian pies, calzones, stromboli, stuffed mushrooms, wings, salads, Philly steak and cheese, subs and a variety of dinners ranging from manicotti and spaghetti to veal Parmesan and clams marinara.

The owners are currently working on getting a beer and wine license at the new restaurant as well.

Hours will be the same as Bloomingdale Pizza: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The number of the new restaurant is 813-685-4646.