Mel’s, a popular pizzeria located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, has announced a thrilling summer-long pizza party that is set to delight food enthusiasts. Chef Melissa Rodriguez, the mastermind behind Mel’s, has organized the F.O.M.O (Friends of Mel’s Oven) pizza series, inviting some of the most renowned Michelin-star chefs to create their unique pizzas to be served at the restaurant.
Mel’s, situated in New York’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood, is one of Chef Melissa Rodriguez’s successful ventures following her acclaimed work at the upscale Italian restaurant Del Posto, where she earned her own Michelin star. Unlike its predecessor, Mel’s offers a more casual dining experience, embracing fun and experimentation. The new lineup of pizzas for the summer series showcases an eclectic mix of ingredients and styles, representing the best that New York City has to offer.
Named the “F.O.M.O.” series, which stands for Friends of Mel’s Oven, this limited-time event will feature a rotation of pizzas on the menu until Labor Day. The first pizza, available until July 21, comes from Chef Daniel Boulud, famous for his eponymous restaurant Daniel, where Chef Melissa Rodriguez worked as a sous chef. Inspired by Chef Boulud’s seafood restaurant Le Pavillon, the pizza boasts an oyster chowder sauce, topped with oysters, potatoes, leeks, and hazelnuts, all resting on a parsley-seaweed crust.
Throughout the summer, New York City chefs will showcase their unique origins and talents with special pizzas on a rotating basis. The menu will feature Chef Gabriel Kreuther’s Coastal Farmers Pizza starting July 22, made with red tomato sauce, green bell peppers, red onions, fresh ricotta, cured anchovies, dry-cured black olives, Mortadella, a sunny-side-up egg, and fresh basil.
On August 5, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will take the helm with the Sunflower Pizza. This delightful creation includes a Sungold tomato sauce, market summer squash, and squash blossoms, complemented by mozzarella and ricotta cheese, and will be available until August 18.
The series concludes from August 19 to September 1 with Chef Junghyun Park’s K-Mediterranean Pizza. This delectable pizza features sardine-kimchi, pork belly, fried sardines, kimchi, and fresh arugula.
Guests can indulge in these exclusive pizzas during lunch and dinner hours, with Mel’s full menu and signature wood-fired pies, including favorites like Margherita, mushroom, and soppressata piccante. To accompany the delightful food, a selection of cocktails, beer, and wine is also available.
To commemorate the F.O.M.O pizza series, Mel’s is offering limited-edition t-shirts for purchase at the restaurant, allowing patrons to take home a piece of this exciting culinary event.
In summary, Mel’s pizzeria in NYC has kicked off an extraordinary summer series featuring Michelin-star chefs, where a lineup of unique and delectable pizzas will grace the menu. With renowned chefs bringing their expertise to the kitchen, guests can experience a fusion of flavors and culinary innovation throughout July and August. Whether you’re a pizza lover or a food enthusiast, this summer series at Mel’s promises an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Manhattan.