Dolce Vita

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Dolce Vita Wood Fired Pizzeria set to open near Lee Circle PRESS RELEASE 10/15/13 - New Orleans, LA: A new, wood fired pizzeria is set to open near Lee Circle at 1205 St. Charles Ave Unit, C-3, New Orleans, LA 70130 on Friday October 18th. Dolce Vita Wood Fired Pizzeria is a unique restaurant that will concentrate on creating fresh and delicious pizzas, light appetizers, pasta specials, salads, and delectable desserts. All of the pizzas will be baked from its one of a kind, hand crafted, imported, Stefano Ferrara wood fired oven. This oven has a deep Italian history and is regarded as one of the finest wood fired ovens in the world. Born and raised in Romania, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Dolce Vita Wood Fired Pizzeria, Bogdan Mocanu, is no stranger to the nuances associated with creating quality products in a wood fired oven. “Back home, I only knew wood fired pizza,” says Chef Bogdan. “Working and living in Europe, from an early age you start to see that only the heat and aroma from a wood fired oven can create the best pie, bread or even food. It’s like going back to the original way of what food is all about: simple, fresh ingredients cooked right!” Chef Bogdan has trained in several culinary establishments, including John Besh’s Domenica, and holds a culinary degree from Louisiana Culinary Institute. Most recently, he owned and operated a very successful wood fired pizza truck in Baton Rouge. Regarded as the top food truck in the area until its recent destruction by a drunk driver, Chef Bogdan amassed a loyal following by combining fresh ingredients with traditional culinary techniques to create a superior wood fired pizza. Aside from the traditional Margherita and Solo Carne pizzas, Chef Bogdan included specialty pizzas like the Roasted Duck and Peaches with a Jim Beam Glaze. After the destruction of his pizza truck, Chef Bogdan was frustrated, but not defeated. In order to reopen as soon as possible, he needed a fixed space – a brick and mortar restaurant. While searching in Baton Rouge and New Orleans for the perfect location for his pizzeria, Chef Bogdan also found a new business partner, Charlie Ruffolo. Charlie is the Public Affairs Director at the Louisiana Culinary Institute and is very familiar with Chef Bogdan’s culinary skill set and work ethic. “The decision to partner with Dolce Vita Wood Fired Pizzeria and Chef Bogdan was easy,” says Charlie. “With his experience in the kitchen and his passion for authentic cuisine, I was personally excited to work together. He created such a strong following in Baton Rouge, all while being humble and appreciative of his customers. Add that to his amazing work ethic and we feel we have something special for New Orleans.” Dolce Vita Wood Fired Pizzeria found its new home in the thriving community on St. Charles Avenue, at the bottom of the 1205 St. Charles Condominiums. The restaurant will seat close to 40 comfortably in the 2,200 square foot space. Guests can place their order for takeout or they can enjoy their meal in a casual, family friendly atmosphere, with televisions, cafe latte toned walls, and a bright red Stefano Ferrara oven near the kitchen. Diners can sit at hand crafted wood tables with benches or comfortable chairs. And Coca Cola products, unsweetened tea, sweet tea, beer, wine, espresso, coffee, and cappuccinos will also be available. The hours of operation will be Tuesday through Sunday 11am to 11pm. Monday will be closed. For more information please call 504-324-7674, email DVWoodFiredPizzeria@gmail.com, or go to www.DVPizzeria.com. Follow us on Twitter @DVPizzeria or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DVPizzeria.