New York–based Artichoke Basille’s Pizza will open its first Staten Island location at Empire Outlets, New York City’s first and only retail outlet center. Artichoke’s new restaurant, located alongside 100 designer retailers and steps from the Staten Island Ferry, is expected to draw millions of New York City residents and tourists each year.
This is a homecoming of sorts for Artichoke cofounders and cousins Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, who first learned the food business at their family’s Staten Island restaurant, Basille’s, before inventing their own unique style of “authentic New York pizza.” In fact, they even wrote a cookbook, Staten Italy, and their namesake Artichoke Pie, which has taken the city by storm with its unique combination of artichoke hearts, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella, and pecorino romano, was first conceived at the family’s Staten Island restaurant Basille’s and inspired Fran and Sal to open their own concept. Since opening the first Artichoke Basille’s on Manhattan’s 14th Street, the cousins have expanded to 12 restaurants across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens; Berkeley, California; and Miami.
“Francis and Sal have an unequaled passion for family, friends, and great food, and we’re so proud that they’ll be bringing their world-class pizza back to Staten Island by joining Empire Outlets,” says Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners, developer of Empire Outlets. “Artichoke Basille’s has an incredibly committed fan base that has made it clear they want to see Francis and Sal come home to Staten Island, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of their homecoming. We look forward to making Empire Outlets one of the city’s top shopping and dining destinations with the help of some of NYC’s finest brands, like Artichoke.”
“It’s an exciting venture to be opening an Artichoke Basille’s Pizza in Staten Island, where our passion for pizza and admiration for the culinary and restaurant industries all started,” Francis Garcia says.
“We’ve been swiftly expanding the brand, and to open a location in Staten Island is a natural choice. We’re finally coming back home,” Sal Basille says.
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza will join Empire Outlets’ diverse group of dining options curated by Michael Brais of Douglas Elliman Commercial, including Shake Shack, Wasabi Steak & Sushi, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Nathan’s Famous, and MRKTPL, Staten Island’s first-ever artisanal food hall.
MRKTPL, a 12,723-square-foot artisanal food hall with a 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space, will include a curated selection of more than 30 diverse and unique concepts that showcase the best local and international purveyors in an elegant environment. This best-in-class culinary fare will attract and impress foodies visiting from across the world and cement Empire Outlets as an unmatched dining destination.
Adjacent to the St. George Ferry Terminal, Empire Outlets will feature more than 100 designer outlet retailers, a boutique hotel with a rooftop venue, and a 1,250-space parking garage. Major retailers at the center already include H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic, Gap Factory, and Columbia Sporting Goods, among others. Eateries are flocking to Empire Outlets’ 40,000-square-foot food and beverage deck, which will provide unique views of Manhattan and an unmatched experience for visitors.
The majority of Empire Outlets’ retail and restaurant spaces are already leased and BFC Partners is actively in discussions with several prominent tenants for the balance of the lifestyle center.
Empire Outlets is expected to open in Fall 2018.
