Michelin-recommended pizzeria opens at University Town Center

A new restaurant is opening in The Market at University Town Center on June 23. Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza will be at 5231 University Parkway, Suite 111.

Based in Miami, the brand has earned a Michelin recommendation and has grown to include restaurants in three states: Florida, where UTC will be its 25th location; Texas, which is home to six Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza eateries; and Georgia, where it has two locations and a third coming soon. The brand will also be expanding to North Carolina, with a restaurant planned for Charlotte.

“Sarasota felt like a natural fit for Mister O1 because it’s a community that values quality, consistency and authenticity — all of which are core to our brand,” Karif Cohen, brand partner for Mister O1 UTC Sarasota, says in a statement. “There’s a strong appreciation here for thoughtful dining experiences and for the value behind concepts built with intention and care.” 

Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza was named because its founder, Chef Renato Viola of Italy, settled in Miami Beach after earning the O-1 visa, which is given to individuals who possess extraordinary abilities in the arts, education, sciences, business or athletics, the release states. 

Since launching in 2014, Viola’s restaurants have become known for their slow-fermented dough, premium Italian and local ingredients and artisanal star-shaped pizzas.

Image courtesy of Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

On the menu at the UTC location will be a variety of pizzas, salads, calzones and desserts as well as an antipasti and burrata bar. Among its signature dishes are the Star Luca, which has ricotta-filled points; the Coffee Paolo, made with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola blue cheese, natural honey, coffee and spicy salami; and the Nutella pizza, made with the restaurant’s signature dough, which is lightly baked and topped with Nutella and powdered sugar.

The 2,200-square-foot restaurant on University Parkway will mark the first location for the brand in the Sarasota-Bradenton market. On the Gulf Coast, Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza also has two locations in the Naples area. 

At UTC, the restaurant will include both indoor dining and outdoor patio seating. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.