Success breeds success, so after two plus years of positive reviews for Italian eatery Via Canaletto in New Smyrna Beach, the duo of Chef Antonio Mazzella and owner Leon Geller picked South Daytona for their second restaurant.
Aptly named Via Canaletto II.
“We figured it’s time to kind of branch out a little bit,” Mr. Geller said while standing in the still to be renovated 1871 S. Ridgewood Ave. location.
The Via Canaletto II menu will be branching out as well with new selections. such as tapas, European-style dishes and craft pizza, “like the ones that have the odd different sauces, but just taste so good together,” Mr. Geller said of the craft pizza. More traditional pizza selections like Chicago, New Jersey and New York also will be offered.
Chef Mazzella has been in the business for more than 40 years. Italian-born, he has run restaurants in Italy and the U.S. and plays an important part in designing a menu certain to include fan favorites from the New Smyrna Beach Via Canaletto, such as eggplant Parmesan and lasagna.
Planning for the 5,000 square-foot South Daytona spot is for a bar on the ground floor, a wine cellar and to serve craft beer.
It is possible a speakeasy will occupy the second level, perhaps some private dining as well. A wrought-iron gate will be installed for outdoor seating, along with plenty of shrubbery.
Mr. Geller described the motif in terms of industrial upscale dining or industrial fine dining. “I love the industrial,” he said.
Industrial is basically exposed beams, bricks, metal or wood. The lighting is warm, setting a sophisticated feel. Yet the South Daytona location will be more casual than the New Smyrna Beach location. It’s possible a touch of the 1920-30s era will be incorporated as well. While the outside will lean a little more towards a newer appearance.
There will be a focus on accessibility, including ADA chairs that assist in getting upstairs and wheelchairs.
South Daytona was chosen based on people, the deal offered and location. “The City of South Daytona is awesome. They’ve opened arms super quick,” Mr. Geller said. “Opened up to what we’re going to be bringing, which is great.”
As for the location, Mr. Geller likes that it is “far enough away from the original restaurant to where it’s not going to take (customers) away. It’s also far enough to where we can tap into more of the transient style traffic like the race weeks and bike weeks.”
Mr. Geller was born in New York City. By age 3, his family had moved to New Smyrna Beach. He is a Marine veteran who also has owned a Planet Fitness and nutrition store. Mr. Geller built more than 30 speculative houses and has developed many properties.
He said there is a buzz about the restaurant opening from those who did not know of the first Via Canaletto. “I love energy. I love positive energy. And there’s a lot of it through the city with the locals, even down there in New Smyrna and Edgewater, they are excited to come up here and try something a little different.”
The expected opening should be sometime in either February or March. Via Canaletto II will be open six days a week for lunch and dinner. The hours are yet to be determined.
Dining and Cooking