Grimaldi's Pizzeria Opening Soon in Katy, Texas

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, June 08, 2013 (Press-News.org) Grimaldi's Pizzeria, famously known for their award-winning hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas and calzones, fresh salads and delicious desserts is announcing its latest expansion move into the state of Texas. Located in Cinco Ranch, the restaurant will offer patio seating, banquet space and a full bar.

Opening Monday, June 10th guests will be welcomed by Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, more than 100-years of pizza making traditions, and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal-burning oven.

"Our team searches the country for the best restaurant sites, and we've been excited for a long time about opening within the Cinco Ranch property," said Joey Ciolli, president and Chief Executive Officer of Grimaldi's Pizzeria. "Grimaldi's is about great food, impeccable service, and a relaxing atmosphere. We see a lot of opportunity in serving the people of Texas and are excited to bring our New York style pizzeria to this region, once again."

Grimaldi's pizzeria has shown tremendous growth in 2012 and have promised to continue their expansion plans throughout the country in 2013. Grimaldi's Pizzeria currently has twenty-seven locations across the US, including Texas, Nevada, Florida, Arizona, South Carolina and its flagship stores in New York City.

In the world of pizza, Grimaldi's is an institution that has garnered more awards than any other pizzeria in the country with more celebrity sightings than most 5-star restaurants. Using only the freshest ingredients, a "secret recipe" pizza sauce, handmade mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi's serves traditional pizza (as it began in Naples, Italy) in an upscale yet casual, family oriented pizzeria.

Designed and built by hand, the coal-fired oven at Grimaldi's Pizzeria delivers a unique flavor and consistency that is just not possible from wood or gas ovens. Weighing in at 25 tons and heated by 100 pounds of coal per day (cleanest burning fuel available and environmentally tested), the oven heats up to 1,200 degrees. The intense heat of the oven evenly bakes the pies to create Grimaldi's famous crispy and smoky thin crust that Zagat has voted best pizza year after year.

It has been said that the secret to true New York-style pizza is the water. Grimaldi's believes that too, going to great lengths to keep the integrity of the water used in the Brooklyn pizzeria by hiring a chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content and exact composition of the water to ensure the dough tastes the same in Texas.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria wholly owns and operates locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Reno, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Myers, and CorpusChristi. Additional locations in Florida, California, Colorado and Missouri are on the drawing board.

Grimaldi's offers guests a selection of beers as well as an extensive list of wines (by the glass and bottle) to complement their freshly prepared salads, hand tossed pizzas and calzones and famous desserts. For more information on Grimaldi's Pizzeria visit http://www.grimaldispizzeria.com.

About LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch:

Located on the western edge of metropolitan Houston in Katy, Texas, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is a 34-acre mixed-use Main Street-style development featuring national and local specialty retailers, choice restaurants, Class A office space and luxury living in an open-air, pedestrian-friendly environment with outdoor common areas, lakes and water features. The $140 million center is nestled in the heart of the 7,600-acre master planned community of Cinco Ranch.

Phase I of LaCenterra opened March 1, 2007 with 170,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 90,000 sq. ft. of Class A office space. Phase II, comprised of Phase II-A and Phase II-B is scheduled for completion summer 2014 and will include an additional 130,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 70,000 sq. ft. of office space. Construction on Phase II-A is underway with an anticipated opening spring 2013. Design plans for Phase III are currently in development and will feature a luxury midrise offering 350 residential units.

LaCenterra is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, at the intersection Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway, just minutes from I-10, Highway 6 and the Westpark Toll Road. The project is a joint venture of Houston-based Vista Equities Group and Denver-based Amstar. Design is by Hermes Architects of Houston.

Retail leasing coordinated by Donna Keith, vice president of leasing for Vista Equities Group, 281.560.7314. Office leasing provided by Steve Rocher and Louann Pereira of CB Richard Ellis, 713.577.1600. For additional information on LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, please visit LaCenterra.com or the Vista Companies at VistaHouston.com.

Artwork Available upon request.

Media Contacts:
Brittany Maroney
bmaroney@grimaldispizzeria.com
480-947-7100