From our friends at &pizza...
&pizza Makes Its Mark on Philadelphia
“The pizza shop of the 21st century” opens in Rittenhouse Square this Fall
&pizza, the unconventional collection of local pizza shops known for their craft pizza, housemade sodas and ampersand-tattooed employees, is putting its stamp on Philly. Called "the pizza shop of the 21st century" because of its innovative approach to food and brand culture, &pizza will open its first shop in Philadelphia at the SE corner of 15th and Walnut Streets in Rittenhouse Square this fall.
With 15 shops in the Mid Atlantic Region, &pizza prides itself on serving up experiences in addition to fresh pizza. Guests have the opportunity to craft their own individual pie (with unlimited ingredients) or choose from nine signature pizzas, each one with its own unique flavor profile. The pizza shop uses fresh ingredients and works with local producers to create its signature and seasonal menu of pizzas, snacks, craft sodas and artisanal teas. &pizza has created a product that is distinctly their own, and opportunity for its employees and customers to be part of something greater that gives back to the community, from its innovative hiring practices to its &CHARITY program.
“It is our hope to not only become the neighborhood joint where people will want to dine, stay and play but a partner dedicated to enriching the community,” says &pizza founder Michael Lastoria. “Philadelphia is such an amazing city with vibrant energy and soul, and we look forward to building on that energy and growing the tribe in the neighborhood.”
The Menu:
Under the direction of Culinary Director Jordan Schlotterbeck, &pizza is constantly evolving its menu items, using the highest quality ingredients to build flavor profiles that are distinctly their own. The pies are cooked in under two minutes and guests can top pizzas with a selection of finishes including housemade sauces and oils. &pizza works with other craft businesses to create exclusive ingredients like Gordy’s Pickle Jar pickled red onions and Moon Cheese feta croutons. The cult brand also developed its own line of pure cane sugar craft sodas to complement its menu of well-loved signature and dessert pizzas, and offers artisanal teas in four flavors. Guests in Philadelphia will savor &pizza’s two newest signature pies, which include the Pineapple Jack, a take on a Hawaiian pizza with salami, pineapple and Cherry Bomb BBQ, and the Salad Pizza, a whole new category of pizza with cucumber, tomatoes, pickled red onion, ranch and Moon Cheese. The Maverick, a spicy pie that incorporates three different types of meats to the Gnarlic, which tastes as garlicky as it sounds are among guest favorites.
The Community:
Building upon the company’s mission of strengthening and enriching the local community through service, &pizza’s charitable arm, &CHARITY, exists as a structured program for giving back. Since 2012, &pizza has worked with more than 750 local and national community groups and nonprofits, and is always looking for more. Guests from the Philadelphia area are encouraged to visit andcharity.com and submit local causes about which they are passionate to help &pizza support their efforts in the neighborhood.
About &pizza:
Founded in 2012 in Washington, DC’s historic H Street, NE corridor, &pizza set out to create a different kind of pizza shop - one where experience is the focal point, and every shop reflects the culture and people of its neighborhood. Evidence of their disruptive success can be found in the organizational culture of its employees (the brand calls them Tribe Members), its rapid expansion and numerous recognitions, including Best Pizza and Best Vegetarian in Washington DC. Follow &pizza on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @andpizza, and visit their site at www.andpizza.com.
