Behind the Scenes at Mel’s, the New Pizza Spot From the Crown Shy Team

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Behind the Scenes at Mel’s, the New Pizza Spot From the Crown Shy Team

Mel’s would be a noteworthy opening in any case: An approachable but still ambitious spot for pizza and the like, from the chef who ran the kitchen at Del Posto — New York’s temple to Italian fine dining — for a decade. But that restaurant is right next door to the old Del Posto space. And the chef, Melissa Rodriguez, will be running not only Mel’s but Al Coro, which aims to bring the same refinement to Italian food as Del Posto but with a more casual feel; as well as Discolo, an attached bar.

Add to that her partners: Jeff Katz (who also helped to run Del Posto) and chef James Kent, who are coming to this trio of new restaurants from their hits Crown Shy and Saga.

“Jeff and I always talk about where we want to eat on our days off—and where we don’t want to eat on our days off,” Rodriguez says. “We always thought it would be fun to have a restaurant that would be more accessible than what is offered next door.

“And,” she adds, “we both love pizza.”

Melissa Rodriguez, center, chef at Mel's and the forthcoming Al Coro, with business partner Jeff Katz, left, and members of her team.

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Pizza with kale basil pesto and fresh ricotta.

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Diners trying the pizzas at Mel's. "That’s what cooking is, you get to share this thing that is very universal. Everyone eats. And it can be fun, it can be romantic, and be playful."

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Pizza peels and other tools in the kitchen at Mel's.

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The pizza with mushrooms and scamorza.

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Chef Melissa Rodriguez working the wood-fired grill.

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"I love pizza. If you don’t like pizza, I feel like there’s something wrong. I mean that in the nicest way. If you have a dairy or gluten allergy, and it’s not your thing, I get it. But pizza is fun."

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The dining counter at Mel's.

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Radicchio salad with radish and basil.

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The dining room.

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A classic margherita pie.

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The bar. "Mel’s is going to be the restaurant that you want to eat at on your night off. Or the space that you pop into to have a glass of wine and a pizza or a salad. The menu is Italian-influenced, but not classically so in any way."

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A look into the kitchen. "I’ve always had a focus on life-work balance in the restaurant. And I love keeping the kitchen very collaborative, which is also not anything new. I’m not a dictator, I don’t like that."

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The wine selection will also draw from Al Coro, next door.

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Sharing slices.

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Photo Essays

Behind the Scenes at Mel’s, the New Pizza Spot From the Crown Shy Team

Mel's

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