Honey Browns Closes After 9 Months

After just nine months, has closed its doors.

"While we are saddened that Honey Browns did not live up to our expectations, we are excited to open our new restaurant in the same space very soon," Rocco Flores, director of operations for the Mare Restaurent Group which owns Honey Browns and , said in a press release. 

Honey Browns, a southern comfort restaurant on Union Place, opened its doors in September 2010 to much a-do. But Flores said while brunch and lunch did well in Summit, misconceptions about the cuisine resulted in a poor showing for dinner.

"What we did take away from the Honey Browns experience is that our customers value our knowledge and execution of great Italian food and that is what we are going to expand on," he said.

Mare Restaurant Group will be opening PizzaVita, a Neapolitan Pizzeria & Cucina, in the Honey Browns location.

"During the brief time period it will take to renovate the space, we will have some time to travel to Italy to hone our craft," Flores said. "We will be familiarizing ourselves with the best ingredients Italy has to offer and working with the best Pizzaiolo’s in Naples. This is something dear to our hearts and something that will have your mouth watering so stay tuned for PizzaVita."

The pizza will be cooked in a wood-burning oven made from volcanic stone from Mount Vesuvius is being shipped over from Italy, Flores said. This oven, combined with the use of pure Captuo flour will cook the pizza in 90 seconds.

Flores also said what will make PizzaVita's pizza different from all other's in town is the simplicity of the recipe and the use of all-natural, earthy ingredients.

"Americans are used to eating "New York Style" pizza made of a blended flour with lots of added preservatives," he said. "Caputo flour is unbleached and no preservatives or malts are added. This is why you will not feel bloated or overly full after enjoying our pizza."

PizzaVita is expected to open in mid-July.

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