Zuzu/Crossbarn To Bring Pizza, Ice Cream, Event Spaces To Farmingdale

FARMINGDALE, NY — The wait is nearly over for Zuzu/Crossbarn, as the pizza restaurant, ice cream venue and event spaces business is set to open in mid-August, business owners said.

Zuzu/Crossbarn has been under construction for approximately two years at 202 Main St., Farmingdale. With a targeted opening date in the second or third week of August, co-owner Joe Mendolia said it feels "fantastic and stressful."

The business boasts a dining room for chef and partner Ed Davis's Naples-style pizza; a takeout ice cream window; and four rooms scattered throughout the building for private parties and events. The multi-layered business approach allows it to cater to different clientele, Mendolia said.

"The restaurant industry is very challenging," Mendolia told Patch. "We’re trying to broaden it a little bit. Families can come now, because you don’t want to exclude families. We’ll have the ice cream. They can walk up or they can do ice cream in here at the tables after having pizza."

Naples-style 12-inch pies are the "only focus" at Zuzu, Davis said. The artisanal approach will feature pies both simplistic and a little more intricate. Dough will be fermented for 48 hours at minimum, Davis said.

"It’s something that really needs to take its time," Davis said. "It can’t be rushed, which is kind of a big deal. In other words, dough that’s made Friday morning won’t be ready until late Sunday into Monday."

The gas and wood oven gives the pizza flavor. Pies will be available for takeout and dine-in.

Four soft-serve ice cream flavors will be available: vanilla, chocolate, and two rotations.

"We’re going to try and stick with stuff around the holiday seasons or just some fun different things," Mendolia said.

The four event spaces cater to different party sizes and vibes.

The second floor boasts Crossbarn East and Crossbarn West. The rooms are barn-style with 30-foot vaulted wood ceilings and separate bars. Elevators lead to each room.

Crossbarn East is the larger of the two, as it requires 60 people minimum and holds up to approximately 115 guests. The west room is 40 people minimum and holds 70.

The Crossbarn rooms are an "inexpensive route" for people who don't want to use a big catering hall, Mendolia said.

"They can come to us and the package is going to be a lot less expensive," he said. "We do gourmet buffets and cocktail parties."

Sophia's Lounge is downstairs, which holds between 25 and 40 people. Mendolia called it a "really fun, different room." The Stevie Room in the back of the restaurant holds between 25 and 35 people.

Food is provided in each room. Rooms can be booked on the Zuzu/Crossbarn website for baby showers, bridal parties, engagement parties, Sweet 16s, rehearsal dinners, weddings, and more.

Jeff Piciullo, co-owner, said Zuzu/Crossbarn features a "fun atmosphere" and "amazing food."

"We have 30 years of great hospitality behind us," Piciullo said.

The ownership group also operates Croxley's Ale House, Waterzooi and Novita. Croxley's neighbors Zuzu/Crossbarn.

"We’re happy to be a part of this great town," Piciullo said. "We’ve been here for a long time already with Croxley’s. The village has been great to us. We’ve been well-received by the town. We’re just happy to continue here."