It’s not every day that a former employee gets a full-circle moment with his former employer — especially the man who inspired him to make a career out of pizza. But that’s exactly what happened on May 20 when Chris Weisman, owner of Pizzeria Baci in Montrose and (the not yet open) Baci in the Square in Ardsley, reunited with 93-year-old Gaetano Nardi, the former owner of Sicilian in the Square, the 30-year-old pizzeria where Weisman first learned the craft.
The reunion — 35 years in the making — marked more than a nostalgic visit. For Weisman, it was an opportunity to honor the man whose guidance helped change the trajectory of his life, molding his path from aspiring pizza maker to successful business owner.
“I can’t even describe what this means to me,” said Weisman ahead of Nardi’s arrival. “You talk about a full circle moment.
“Gaetano is why I fell in love with pizza,” he said. Growing up in Yonkers before later moving to Ardsley, Weisman got his first job at Sicilian Pizza in the Square, where he quickly became drawn to the atmosphere as much as the food.
“I’d see my parents’ friends getting off the train miserable after work,” he recalled. “Then I’d go into the pizzeria on a Friday night and see Jimmy and Dino [former staffers] laughing, watching the Yankees game and having a great time. I remember thinking, ‘I want to do this. I want this life.’”
At 15, Weisman said he was initially intimidated by Nardi, the legendary pizzaiolo who immigrated to the United States from Calabria as a young man after working in Italy.
“I was scared of him back then,” Weisman said with a laugh. “He was the real deal.”
Fast forward a few decades and the meeting between the two occurred, as most things in life do these days, thanks to social media. Weisman, who has a sizeable Instagram following, posted about his new Ardsley spot, which has the same “in the Square” name as a homage to Nardi’s influence. As it turns out Nardi’s grandchildren, Sam and Tony Peccorelli, saw the post — and got in touch.
A meeting was then arranged, with Weisman adamant the first pizza made in his oven would be from Nardi’s own hands.
Luckily, Nardi, who lives in the Bronx, was happy to make the trip.
“When they told me about coming here and making pizza, I thought I might cry,” he said. But on May 20, when the two reconnected, it was all smiles, pizza talk and photos. Immediately, after a few hugs and back slaps, the two were busy in the kitchen stretching dough, swirling tomato sauce and sprinkling cheese.
Weisman never thought he could afford a pizzeria in Ardsley, though it was a longtime dream. “I thought it would be too expensive,” he said. But after a friend told him about an available spot (also from social media), he was able to get a lease on what he calls “the deal of the century.” That was two years ago. He’s now set to open early July across the street from where Nardi’s Sicilian pizzeria had been. (Old timers may remember the former space as what’s now Liebman’s Deli. Some years later Nardi also owned Gaetano’s, a sit down restaurant next door.)
“This guy made the best pizza in Westchester 40 years ago — there were lines out the door,” he said. “So I’ve been waiting and hoping for this moment,” he said.
Watching Nardi work the dough again, Weisman jokingly asked if he wanted to come back once the pizzeria officially opens.
“People would be lined up just to see you,” he told him. “You could do a couple hours.”
Nardi’s grandchildren, especially Sam who posts about her grandparents at @CookingwithNanina, was all for it; admitting she’d even help out.
Nardi, who said he mostly lets his wife do the cooking — though she occasionally pushes him to make pizza — was thrilled when he saw Weisman add a little sauce on top of his Sicilian before it went into the oven, a “secret” he always did. “You remember,” he said.
Weisman smiled. And was still smiling when the pizzas came out. “After all these years,” he said. “His pizza is still better than mine.”
Stay tuned
Address for Pizzeria Baci in the Square: 471 Ashford Ave., Ardsley.
Projected opening: July 1
Good to know: Diners can expect slices (there are no slices in Montrose) along with traditional, New York style and Sicilian pies. There will also be concierge service (i.e. food runners) so people can get takeout to go without getting out of their cars.
A lohud favorite: Weisman’s flagship in Montrose, which specialize in sourdough pizza, was crowned the winner of the Lohud’s Big Cheese 2025 for best pizza in the Lower Hudson Valley.
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Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com with details of openings or closings near you. And, if you want more intel on Lower Hudson Valley dining and entertainment, sign up for my free weekly newsletter, which often includes behind-the-scenes info I don’t always share in my stories at profile.lohud.com/newsletters/manage.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester pizzeria owner has full circle moment at new Ardsley spot
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
