About
Evoking memories of bountiful “Sunday Suppers” where families gathered around the table to share recipes passed down from generation to generation, Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza is bringing that same convivial feeling of a close knit Italian family to everyone. Millie’s is a restaurant rooted in one family’s commitment to preserving the “Old World” in terms of recipes and traditions but steps into the “New World” with modern ambiance and décor.Named after their grandmother Millie, the restaurant is the brainchild of two brothers seeking to share their passion for Italian food and celebration of the Italian culture of their heritage. “We were fortunate to grow up in a family that respects Italian traditions and by opening Millie’s, we want to share our love of culinary classics like meatballs and pizza” note the Brothers.The team behind Millie’s is passionate about pizza, both the coal-fired and the Neapolitan styles. Thanks to “dueling ovens”, pies from both varieties are offered. Inspired by childhood visits to Totonno’s, the legendary Coney Island pizzeria, the coal oven burns over 1,000 degrees and can produce pies in five minutes. The signature Millie’s pie combines sautéed tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and a sprinkling of parmesan. The Neapolitan wood oven, hand built by Italy’s celebrated Ferrara family, and imported from Naples, cooks pizzas, such as the Margherita, in just 90 seconds thanks to the intense 800 degree heat.Fried meatballs were a holiday tradition with family members waiting all day for the beef balls to come out of the frying pan. Fortunately, customers at Millie’s can order from the Fried Meatball station and Cheese bar at any time. Drawing upon Grandma Millie’s recipe, guests can choose to have their meatballs on platters, heroes (with fresh Italian Bread) or even in takeaway “Bag of Balls.” No matter the method, one constant is the side of marinara sauce for dipping. Just as baked meatballs are considered unacceptable at Millie’s, so is the mixing of balls and sauce. Each order of meatballs will be accompanied by a bowl of ricotta and marinara sauce for dipping.While the food is firmly rooted in the traditional, the décor will be modern. One wall of the 4200 square foot space will be exposed brick while mosaics of grey and black tiles decorate the surrounding surface. Red accents and dim lighting contribute to the sleek, lounge like ambiance. Guests can grab a booth while they sip a beverage of their choice (the restaurant will be BYOB). In warm weather, outdoor seating will be on offer.Neapolitan Wood Fired Oven PizzaMillie’s Old World features a Stefano Ferrara oven which was built by hand in Italy and shipped by sea. The oven is made from volcanic stones from Mount Vesuvius. This 100% wood fired oven allows us to cook pizza in 90 seconds due to its constant 900 degree temperature. Our pizza is made with only soft grain Caputo flour “00”, water, all natural fresh yeast, sea salt, the finest tomatoes, and our home made fresh mozzarella prepared each morning. Our flour is imported from Italy and is world renowned for being able to produce an extremely light elastic chewy crust. Unlike flours used in most “American pizza,” our flour is free of malts and preservatives. The wheat grains go through 21 milling processes to give it a unique silky smooth texture. Our tomatoes are much less acidic and have a fresher taste then paste “tomato sauce.” In order to ensure Millie’s masters the art of this specialty type of pizza, our family and head chef has been trained and certified by one of the most respected Pizzaiolo’s in the world.Coal Fired PizzaMillie’s Old World Coal Fired Mosaic Oven gives the pizza a unique smoky flavor and a crisp crust that is just not possible with gas, convention, or a wood oven. As a family, knowing the coal fired oven is a unique art, we wanted to ensure that future generations will be able to experience this distinct pizza we enjoyed growing up in Brooklyn and Staten Island. This oven requires an exceptional amount of commitment and skill. A coal fire is much more challenging to start and is more difficult to manage than a wood fire or gas burner. Coal has roughly twice the heat/energy potential of wood so accessing and managing its potential energy when and where you need it can be challenging. Unlike a wood fire, a coalfire will not let you stir its fire or move it around without consequence. Balancing the open flame of a coal fire with the intensity of the coal bed becomes the daily challenge. As a family we have specialized for years on producing some of the best gourmet pies we believe are the best in the world.
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