Mister O1, the South Florida-based brand renowned for its extraordinary pizza, is thrilled to announce its first Central Florida outpost in the booming Orlando market opening on Tuesday, October 31st.
As one of the most critically acclaimed pizzerias in the country, Mister O1’s newest 2,600-square-foot space (located at 1210 International Parkway, Suite #108, Heathrow, Florida) is set to open in the city’s serene Lake Mary neighborhood and will serve as the flagship location in the region, preceding two additional locations planned for the Dr. Phillips and Oviedo areas in 2024.
Pizza enthusiasts can expect to delight in Mister O1’s signature pizzas, calzones, salads and burrata bar that have earned the brand national recognition including being named “Best Pizzeria in Florida” by Food & Wine magazine (2021); a coveted rating of 8.9 by Barstool Sports’ pizza aficionado Dave Portnoy; and its original location in Miami Beach is recommended in Florida’s MICHELIN Guide (2022, 2023).
With its roots deeply embedded in the authentic art of pizza-making, Mister O1 takes pride in its unique approach to creating artisanal masterpieces, always focusing on the quality and consistency that are the hallmarks of Founder and Chef Renato Viola’s pizza.
The new full-service restaurant in Lake Mary will offer both indoor (32 seats) and outdoor seating (28 seats) for diners to sit back, relax and enjoy their favorite menu items.
Takeout and delivery options will be also available, with catering options launching just a few short weeks after opening.
With 13 current locations in buzzing cities across Florida, Texas, and even an international presence in Spain and Saudi Arabia, Mister O1 is rapidly carving out its niche, with multiple locations in the pipeline for the next year.
Mister O1’s dedication to crafting exceptional and inventive pizzas using a delicate, thin and crispy crust made with a light dough — which is prepared and rests for a minimum of 72 to 96 hours to naturally leaven — has been on full display since opening in 2014.
Viola’s recipes include a delightful harmony of flavors, where premium ingredients (almost all are sourced directly from Italy) meld together to create a taste sensation that has captured the hearts and taste buds of pizza lovers throughout the many neighborhoods his popular brand serves.
Born into a family where food was the cornerstone of their culture, Viola’s culinary journey began at a young age in Italy.
Growing up in South Italy in a town renowned for its rich gastronomic heritage, he developed a deep appreciation for the traditional flavors and techniques of Italian cuisine.
Inspired by his mother’s love for cooking and baking, Viola embarked on a lifelong pursuit to perfect the art of pizza-making.
At the young age of 11, he began honing his talent by taking on a job at a local pizzeria where he watched the pizza chefs in action, spinning the pizza dough in the air.
By the age of 18, Viola’s own pizza creations and acrobatic pizza skills started winning competitions including placing first at the World Championship of Acrobatic Pizza in Monte Carlo in 2004. It was at this time that he began developing the light dough he still uses on his pizzas today.
Viola’s career took an additionally fortuitous turn when he moved to Miami under the O-1 Visa category, reserved for those with “extraordinary artistic ability” of internationally acclaimed fame.
Once settled in the Magic City, he opened the first location of Mister O1 in 2014 at 1680 Michigan Avenue with his business partner Umberto Mascagni.
The pizzeria brand has become synonymous with Chef Viola’s signature pizzas that are star-shaped with a pouch of ricotta cheese in each of the eight points — an innovation that many other Italian eateries have since imitated.
The menu features 13-inch traditional and specialty pizzas as well as calzones, salads, and an antipasto and burrata bar.
Signature “Extraordinary Pizzas” are served as 13-inch pizza with standout flavor selections such as the award-winning Star Luca, a star-shaped pizza filled with ricotta cheese, spicy salami calabrese, mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, basil; Coffee Paolo made with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola blue cheese, natural honey, coffee, and spicy salami calabrese; and Claudio, made with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh burrata Stracciatella cheese, white truffle oil, and basil.
Gluten-free crust and vegan cheese options are also available, for a fully inclusive dining experience.
Mister O1’s first Orlando location will be located at 1210 International Pkwy Suite #108, Heathrow, Florida 32746. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.mistero1.com.