Il Leone

- 158 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

The culinary landscape of Brooklyn, already rich with world-class pizza, has welcomed a highly anticipated new player: Il Leone. Originally gaining significant acclaim on Peaks Island, Maine, this restaurant is making its New York debut right in the heart of Park Slope. New Yorkers and Brooklynites who appreciate artisanal quality, a dedication to sourcing, and the magic of a perfectly blistered crust will find their new favorite spot here. Il Leone is not just another pizza joint; it’s a passion project brought to life by NYC native Ben Wexler-Waite, who has taken the traditional Neapolitan style and elevated it with a focus on naturally leavened dough and exceptional, often local, ingredients.

The core of Il Leone’s philosophy rests on a profound respect for the craft of pizza making. They specialize in Neapolitan-style pizza, which means a thin, soft, and elastic crust with a high, charred, and airy rim—known as the cornicione. What truly sets them apart is their dough: it is 100 percent naturally leavened, utilizing a sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast. This painstaking process involves a 72-hour fermentation, resulting in a more digestible and flavorful crust that forms the perfect foundation for their toppings. The commitment to quality is immediately evident in the first bite, offering a complexity and lightness that mass-produced crusts simply cannot match. This attention to detail has already earned them high praise, including a mention from the New York Times which called their creation “naturally leavened pizza magic.”

This new establishment promises to bring a fresh, yet authentic, take on Italian flavors to the already competitive Brooklyn food scene. While the focus is clearly on the pizza, Il Leone is designed to be a complete dining experience, offering a curated selection of beverages and complementary Italian dishes.

The anticipation for the Park Slope location is high, and locals are eager to experience the wood-fired magic that has made Il Leone a destination spot in Maine. For those who value the origin and quality of their food, this pizza restaurant represents a significant addition to Brooklyn’s dining repertoire, offering a genuine taste of Neapolitan tradition, perfected by a local’s touch.

Location and Accessibility

The new Brooklyn home for Il Leone is situated in the vibrant and family-friendly neighborhood of Park Slope. The restaurant is perfectly positioned to become a central dining destination for residents and visitors alike, adding to the neighborhood’s beloved culinary offerings.

The official address is:

158 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA

This prime location on 7th Avenue, nestled between First and Garfield, is already well-known in the community, occupying the former space of Bar Vinazo. The setting is ideal for a comfortable and inviting dining experience, designed to welcome the Park Slope community. The area is highly accessible via public transportation, making it convenient for patrons from all over Brooklyn and beyond. Several subway lines serve the Park Slope area, placing the restaurant within easy reach. The surrounding streets are also well-traversed by local buses. For those arriving by car, street parking may be available, consistent with a busy neighborhood. However, like much of New York City, public transit or ride-sharing is often the most straightforward option. The spot's location within a lively commercial corridor ensures a high level of neighborhood walkability and a great atmosphere for a night out.

Services Offered

Il Leone in Park Slope is designed to offer a comfortable and engaging dining experience, prioritizing both quality of food and atmosphere. Based on available public data regarding the new Brooklyn location, the following services are expected:

• Seating: The restaurant provides dedicated seating areas for guests to enjoy their meal in a relaxed setting.
• Outdoor Seating: A significant and highly appealing feature, the establishment offers outdoor seating, which includes a large backyard space. This is a valuable amenity for patrons looking to dine al fresco, especially during pleasant weather.
• In-Person Dining Options: The new Brooklyn location is set up as a destination for dining in, allowing guests to fully experience the wood-fired pizzas fresh out of the oven.
• Artisanal Beverage Program: The drinks menu will feature a thoughtful selection, including natural and low-intervention wines (primarily from Campania), classic Italian cocktails, spritzes, and a selection of local Maine beers, offering unique pairings for the menu.
• Additional Menu Items: Beyond the signature pizzas, the menu includes non-pizza items such as salads and antipasto plates, ensuring a diverse offering for all diners.

The experience is carefully curated to be immersive and transparent, highlighted by an open kitchen design that allows guests to watch the creation of their Neapolitan pies.

Features / Highlights

Il Leone stands out from the crowded New York pizza scene by leaning heavily on traditional methods and superior ingredient quality. These key features make it a must-visit spot:

• Naturally Leavened Dough: The signature 72-hour fermentation process uses a sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast. This results in a crust that is lauded for its rich flavor and improved digestibility, a true mark of an artisanal pizzeria.
• Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza: The pizzas are baked at over 800 degrees in a dedicated Italian wood oven. This high-heat method is essential for achieving the characteristic blistering, charring, and soft interior of authentic Neapolitan pizza.
• Ingredient Sourcing Excellence: The commitment to quality is paramount. Ingredients are sourced from small, organic farms and directly from Italy. This includes San Marzano tomatoes, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and oregano from the Amalfi Coast.
• The Signature "Isola" Lobster Pizza: A unique and highly celebrated specialty, the Isola features wood-fired Maine lobster. This pie is a nod to the restaurant's Maine roots and demonstrates their creativity with high-quality, regionally sourced ingredients, and was previously spotlighted by Food and Wine magazine.
• Open Kitchen and Backyard Dining: The new Park Slope location will boast an open kitchen design, offering an engaging view of the pizza-making process. Complementing this is a large backyard, providing a welcoming atmosphere and sought-after outdoor seating.
• Expert Recognition: The restaurant has already garnered national praise, including being called out for “Wood Fired Pizza Magic” by the New York Times, adding a layer of credibility to their Brooklyn debut.
• Creative and Seasonal Menu: In addition to classics like the Margherita, the menu features creative, seasonal options utilizing organic, locally grown vegetables, such as organic zucchini, squash blossoms, and organic mushrooms, reflecting a dedication to fresh, in-season produce.

Contact Information

To plan your visit to this exciting new Park Slope destination, here is the essential contact information. Please note that a publicly listed phone number and operating hours for the new Brooklyn location may be subject to change, especially around a new business opening.

• Address: 158 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA
• Phone: Please check local listings or their official website for the most current phone number. Public data for a consistent contact line for the 158 7th Ave location is not universally available at this time.
• Hours: As a new opening, official operating hours should be verified through local business directories or the restaurant’s public channels closer to their launch.

What Is Worth Choosing

When deciding what to experience at Il Leone, New Yorkers have several exceptional choices that truly reflect the restaurant's commitment to quality and unique culinary identity. For first-time visitors or dedicated pizza connoisseurs, a few items stand out as essential selections.

The first and perhaps most crucial choice is simply one of their traditional Neapolitan pizzas. The foundation of the naturally leavened, 72-hour fermented dough is the core reason for Il Leone’s reputation. A perfect starting point would be the Margherita (San Marzano tomato sauce, Maine grown organic basil, Fresh Mozzarella, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt) or the Bufalina (Buffalo Mozzarella, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, organic basil, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt). These classics showcase the purity and quality of their imported and locally sourced ingredients. The San Marzano tomatoes and Sicilian olive oil shine through on a perfectly charred crust, offering an authentic taste of Campania.

For an adventurous and regionally inspired choice, the celebrated Isola pizza is an absolute must-try. Featuring wood-fired Maine Lobster, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, organic basil, garlic, chili flake, Italian Rosé, and Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, this pie is a memorable marriage of Italian tradition and New England’s finest seafood. It represents a delightful specialty that few pizzerias in the city can rival.

Beyond the pizza, it is highly recommended to sample one of their Antipasto selections. The Antipasto Del Leone, featuring Burrata, Imported Prosciutto Di Parma, a drizzle of Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, accompanied by Il Leone’s wood oven baked pane, is an excellent way to appreciate the high quality of their non-pizza ingredients. Additionally, seasonal salads, such as the Rughetta e Parmigiano (Organic Arugula, Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Grated Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Black Pepper), offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pizza and highlight the use of local, organic Maine produce.

Finally, to complete the meal, consider pairing your pizza with a selection from their artisanal beverage menu. Exploring the natural and low-intervention wines, especially those from Campania, or trying one of their Italian cocktails or spritzes will elevate the entire dining experience, making it a true taste of modern Italian-American cuisine in a classic Brooklyn setting. Il Leone promises to be a welcome and celebrated fixture in the Park Slope dining scene, offering a slice of wood-fired perfection.

Il Leone

158 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA