Brick Oven Pizza Coming to Maplewood

As Jones Typewriter moves out of 7278 Manchester Road (to 3530 Greenwood Avenue), A Pizza Story, featuring pizza cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, is on the way.

Brick oven pizza “bursts with hearthy flavor, which combined with a fluffy, crisp crust and crunchy toppings makes it a very unique eating experience,” according to information supplied to the city.

The owners of the proposed new restaurant are both professors at Washington University.

Sherif Nasser is an assistant professor of marketing. He’s been an engineer, project manager, sales manager and marketing director. He also has a “profound passion for fine food and wine,” the city information states.

Muhammad Alhawagri is a researcher and biologist at Washington University. He traveled to Italy to explore the culture and lean about Italian foods and became proficient in wood-fired oven baking. He is also a serious amateur fine arts photographer.

Nasser and Alhawagri plan to use local fresh ingredients and host local musicians to play solo instruments, such as guitar or violin, in the restaurant. The city information states 10-15 employees will be hired.

A sample menu lists nine pizzas, including the Margherita, with basil, mozzarella and pecorino on red sauce for $10 and the Slice of Life, with marinated eggplant, goat cheese, fresh oregano and lemon for $15.