Hitchcock Owner's New Pizza Pop-Up

Bruciato (broo-CHYAH-toh) is the Italian word for the flame-blackened blister on Naples-style pizza. It's also the name of the new Monday night pop-up Hitchcock chef/owner Brendan McGill is launching January 28, in hopes of making the idea a true brick-and-mortar:

I suppose that is the idea of most pop-ups: test the waters, drum up interest. People have all but demanded that I make pizza with my oven, and given the timing with Keegan leaving, it made a lot of sense. And yes, I think if this ends up going into a space it would be on Bainbridge Island. Honest, the island could use a family-oriented joint to drink beer and eat (really good) pizza.

Keegan is sous chef Keegan O'Brien, who is leaving to work at Blind Pig Bistro. Replacing him will be chef James Pech, late of Spring Hill and Osteria La Spiga.

Assisting McGill will be Brandon Thompson, who works with the charcuterie and meats at Hitchcock Deli. He's also gotten his hands doughy at Via Tribunali, Tutta Bella, and Queen Margherita. Says McGill:

I've got a top-shelf pizzaiolo, the wood-fired oven, plus a line of salumi from the deli for the pies. We'll do plates, too. We'll run this for a little while and see how it goes.

Meanwhile, Americana Mondays at the restaurant will be kaput after January 21st.

· Bruciato [Facebook]
· All Coverage of Hitchcock [~ESEA~]
· All Coverage of Blind Pig Bistro [~ESEA~]