After its soft opening last December at 41-16 Queens Boulevard, Philomena's, the newest pizzeria in town, has been generating positive reviews through word of mouth and social media. Learn more about owner and pizza fanatic David Acocella below.
With years of experience in the pizza scene of New York City, Italian-American David "Dave" Acocella has realized his dream of opening his own pizzeria in his hometown. For Dave, choosing Sunnyside for his storefront location was easy - as a long-time resident, he enjoys the friendly atmosphere of the neighborhood. Moreover, the time saved on his commute allows him to devote most of his time and energy on doing what he loves best - making pizza and sharing his creations with customers.
In a recent visit with Acocella, our timing was perfect- he was making a batch of his sourdough pizza base (we promised to keep the secret ingredient undisclosed). He shared tips, such as allowing the dough to rest for a few days before baking, and the type of Italian yeast he uses.
"I learned everything from my mom," Acoccella emphasizes. "Always listen to your mother." He built the knowledge with apprenticeships and positions at famous eateries such as Paulie Gee's, Gino Sorbillo's, Dosa Vano, Servano's, and 21 Greenpoint. Using his experience from these institutions, he has been able to experiment with his own flair. Among traditional options like marinara and pepperoni, Philomena's menu includes more eccentric varieties such as Spicy Mikey's (tomato, mozzarella, sopresatta, onions, and hot honey) and Clam Pie (ricotta, clams, guanciale, and garlic).
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