Pizza Cucina Opens In Farmingdale, 'The Perfect Town'

FARMINGDALE, NY — Pizza Cucina opened in Farmingdale in May, replacing Francesco's Pizza. The pizzeria is at 107 Northwest Drive.

Darlene Giambalvo and her son, Michael, own the pizzeria. Darlene said the town and business are already forging a camaraderie.

"What I’m learning is that the residents of Farmingdale, and I’m not just saying this, they’re wonderful," Darlene told Patch. "Everyone has been wonderful who has walked through our door. They’ve been so complimentary, so helpful, so nice and welcoming. That’s something that I wasn’t expecting to feel right away. I have to say we do. It’s really marvelous."

The family has also owned Pizza Cucina in Merrick since 2012.

The family is building an immediate rapport with its Farmingdale customers, Darlene said.

Michael said Farmingdale looks like "the perfect town" with great surrounding towns.

"It’s a massive neighborhood with a lot of schools, parks and that’s everything a pizzeria is all about," he said. "People coming in after games or after long nights and just grabbing a slice."

Michael pointed to the family-owned nature of the store as to what sets it apart.

"I’m here with my mom, my dad. My sister [Amanda] works sometimes. My brother [Daniel] helps. My girlfriend works. It’s just a lot of family behind the counter," Michael said. "It’s a family tradition for many years now. It’s been the same recipes throughout the years. It’s been nice."

Michael said having grown up around his family business in Merrick, pizza is in his DNA.

"Just try us out," he said. "Try the slice. Come in and see the store. Talk to the people behind the counter. You won’t regret it."

Darlene said the food her family creates is "just amazing," and that Pizza Cucina serves more than just its namesake.

"We have a very large kitchen menu," she said. "We can really make things to order. Certain things have to be pre-made, but everything is made to order."

The Pizza Cucina menu features several specialty pizza options, appetizers, pasta dishes, salads, chicken, veal, eggplant, seafood, heroes, paninis, wraps, specialty rolls, lamb chops, skirt steak, desserts and more.

Pizza Cucina has participated in both Long Island Pizza Strong fundraisers: the first for those impacted by thefatal Farmingdale High School marching band bus crash in September and the second for the family of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller and pro-police charities.

The pizzeria can be reached at 516-855-0000.

Francesco's Pizza replaced La Slice, which had taken over Portobello Pizza.