After 25 years, Cazenovia Pizzeria has expanded into the space next door, bringing the opportunity for serving big groups, more celebrations, musical performances and, soon, beer and wine.
“This is our one opportunity to really do what we’ve wanted to do for years,” said Susie Hayes of Cazenovia Pizza.
Owners Tom and Susie Hayes took advantage of the vacant storefront next to their Albany Street location last summer, a space previously occupied by the Cheshire Cat and several bookstores. They quietly expanded into the new space in the middle of November, with a grand opening last weekend.
A wide walkway connects the new dining area with the old Cazenovia Pizzeria, allowing easy counter access. The new space hosts a bar, much more seating, a wide-screen TV and space in the back for planned musical performances and open mic nights. Original paintings by Susie Hayes line the walls.
While the space has improved, the menu is largely remaining the same.
“We’ve been doing it for 25 years, I’m not going to fool with it,” Hayes said.
The pizzeria has made only a few changes to the menu, adding some new pasta dishes and a sampler platter as well as coffee and tea.
The pizzeria will offer fresh ground coffee.
“I buy really good coffee because I love it,” Hayes said. “I live to serve what I love.”
The restaurant is offering a new pizza to commemorate the expansion, the “Pizza Suzanna.”
According to Tom Hayes, the pizza “is made in the style of New York City pizzas, with a crispy crust, white sauce with feta and fresh mozzarella with sauteed chicken and cheddarjack cheese with baby spinach over the top.” Hayes said the pizza has been a big hit.
The process took about two and a half months, starting in August. Kevin Grenga, of Elite Contracting in Central Square, served as contractor for the project.
Susie Hayes mentioned several services the pizzeria offers that many people “just don’t know about.”
If it’s raining, Hayes said, diners are invited to order ahead and wait in their cars behind the restaurant.
“We’ll bring it out to you,” she said.
Diners can also order online at campusfoods.com.
The expansion also allowed for some shifting in the original space, and the restaurant will be re-opening its outside ice cream window for the summer.
For more information, call Cazenovia Pizzeria at 655-4161. The hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
