Brigantessa shoots for September; Cicala gets put in handcuffs

The City Paper had a great interview with chef Joe Cicala, the man with the plan for Brigantessa, the brick-oven Italian joint planned for the former Karina’s at 1520 E. Passyunk Ave.

Looking good last week
Looking good last week at 1520 E. Passyunk Ave.

Cicala — also the chef at Le Virtu, whose owners are partners in the new venture — completed a 10-day pizza certification course in Naples, Italy, but ended up having a run-in with the law.

Says the City Paper:

With no documents to prove that he was, in fact, in Napoli to master the art of Neapolitan pizza, Cicala was arrested and handcuffed to a park bench.

Long story short, he did not go to prison, but the story is worth a read anyway (find it here). It’s enticing more for the preview of the restaurant, of course.

Joe Cicala with the oven that serves as the first-floor centerpiece. Pic by Neal Santos via City Paper.
Joe Cicala with the oven that serves as the first-floor centerpiece. Pic by Neal Santos via City Paper.

Brigantessa is scheduled to open in early September with a selection of antipasti, pasta, pizza and entrees cooked in that huge oven from — naturally — Naples.

4 thoughts on “Brigantessa shoots for September; Cicala gets put in handcuffs

  • August 11, 2014 at 9:57 am
    Permalink

    Great news…. can’t wait.

  • August 11, 2014 at 11:22 am
    Permalink

    I’m excited for this restaurant! It’s something different and as a vegetarian I’m sure I’ll be able to find some great choices there.

  • August 11, 2014 at 11:46 am
    Permalink

    3 days in LA or 10 in Italy? Sounds like a tax deductible vacation. Also, who forgets they have ID with them.

  • August 11, 2014 at 4:19 pm
    Permalink

    Great! Just in time for the summer to end and I can use my backyard, which they blocked off for the last 2 months!

Comments are closed.