The Zeneli Brothers Open Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven

If you live in the New Haven area and are looking to book a trip to Naples, Italy, don’t buy that ticket just yet. At the end of Wooster Street on the right hand side, there is a place that will take you there in 90 seconds for a fraction of the price. Zeneli Pizzeria e cucina Napoletana is the new kid on the block of this already famous street known for some of the best pizza not only in Connecticut, but America as well. Wooster Street is home to several pizzerias, none more famous, however, than Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally’s Apizza. These two legendary powerhouses are what enshrined this street on the pizza map forever. Cue the Zeneli Brothers.

Gazmir Zeneli and his three brothers have deep roots in all things connected to pizza, pasta, and cheese. Born in Albania, but growing up in and around Naples, Italy, the Zeneli’s honed their skills and love for Italian food in a region already famous for it, by immersing themselves, each in a different craft. Jetmir and Jeshar Zeneli fell in love with cheese making, while Gazmir fell in love with pizza-making and becoming a chef. Aleko was always the people’s person and had strong entrepreneurial skills.

Eventually all of this combined experience presented the brothers with the incredible opportunity to work for and help open several Eataly concepts, one of the world’s largest Italian specialty market brands, ultimately bringing them to the United States and landing in New York. Luckily for pizza lovers another landing in New Haven, CT happened by chance when Jeshar Zeneli moved to North Haven to help a small independent company craft cheese, all the while still talking with his brothers about the possibility of starting their own venture. Gazmir visited the Emerald City several times, falling in love more and more with each visit. Fast forward to present day 2021 and now the Zeneli brothers, thanks to their hard work and dedication to their craft, have set another a chair at their family table for pizza lovers to enjoy Zeneli Pizzeria e cucina Napoletana.

Together they all knew it was going to be a monumental challenge, but together they were up for it. Not only were they opening a pizza place on a street known for an entirely different style of pizza, but they were also opening up a restaurant just as a  world-wide pandemic was simultaneously emerging, forcing many restaurants and small independent businesses to close their doors. After many difficult conversations, the Zeneli brothers decided to stay open and focus on the take-out aspect of the business similar to what most restaurants were forced to do. But the Zeneli Brothers once again were able to find a silver lining. Not only did the change in business strategy give Gazmir, already a Master Pizziolo, a chance to spend some serious one-on-one time experimenting with the oven they had imported from Italy  and hand built on location, but it also gave him the opportunity to forge some amazing relationships with his customer base and the community he was now a part of. When you visit the restaurant, make sure you have plenty of time to check out the beautiful gold oven and watch as Gazmir prepares a pie or two. His passion and pizza-making style is so incredibly beautiful, and what Gazmir does with dough is an art form in and of itself.

On the right-hand side of the oven along the window, you’ll also see the giant trophy that Gazmir proudly displays, and rightfully so. Gazmir took 1st place in the international ‘Caputo Cup,’ a very serious and prestigious pizza making competition judged by a panel of international judges who judge every aspect of your pizza-making from start to finish, including the ultimate test—the taste. This incredible honor and trophy serves as a reminder to Gazmir of his love for Naples-style pizza as he crafts each and every pizza each and every day. If you stand at the counter and watch him make a few pies, you’ll understand how he’s able to make you feel like you’ve traveled to Napoli in 90 seconds.

Be sure to also check out his delicately made calzones; they are unlike any other calzone I’ve had. In my sit-down conversation with Gazmir, he shared with me a  wonderful story about Gary Bimonte, from the infamous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana located up the street, and how Gary’s customers would come in and tell him how amazing the calzone down the street was, so much so that he had to go walk down and see for himself. Not only did Gary walk down and order one, but he loved it so much that he asked Gazmir to “come behind the counter” and learn how to make it himself. 

 There is no doubt in my mind that Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana will always be a mainstay of Wooster Street, as will Sally’s Apizza. I also believe that The Zeneli brothers and their humble restaurant are now also a part of this community and here to stay because let’s face it, there is enough pie to go around for everyone. Make sure you order the meatballs and the Cacio-e-pepe as well. You won’t regret it.

Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana

138 Wooster St, New Haven

www.zenelipizzeria.com