News Summary
St. Petersburg, Florida, has welcomed a new pizzeria named The Violet Stone, owned by Daniel Fekete from Philadelphia. Located at 2607 MLK Street North, this establishment offers authentic, high-quality pizzas and a diverse menu, striving to create a community-focused dining experience. With its rustic ambiance and a commitment to using superior ingredients, The Violet Stone aims to stand out among fast-casual pizza chains. The restaurant features a vibrant takeout section adorned with nostalgic murals and has already received positive attention from pizza critics.
St. Petersburg, Florida has welcomed a new addition to its culinary scene with the opening of The Violet Stone. This new pizzeria, owned by Philadelphia native Daniel Fekete, aims to bring the authentic flavors of his hometown to locals and visitors alike. With a commitment to quality and tradition, The Violet Stone offers an old-school pizza experience that stands out from typical fast-casual pizza joints.
Located at 2607 MLK Street North, just a few miles north of downtown, the restaurant occupies a newly expanded 2,100-square-foot space that can accommodate up to 100 guests both indoors and outdoors. This move comes as The Violet Stone grows from its initial 800-square-foot location, allowing for a more comfortable dining experience. The dining room features a rustic Italian ambiance, complete with framed artwork that enhances the welcoming atmosphere.
The Violet Stone prides itself on superior ingredients and crafting every dish with care. Unlike many pizzerias that rely on lower-quality meats, the restaurant uses freshly baked bread made daily and ribeye steak instead of steak gums for its sandwiches. This attention to detail extends to its pizza, which features a slightly thicker Neapolitan-style dough. Made with Bianco DiNapoli whole peeled tomatoes and a unique house-made mozzarella blend, the pizza is well-executed, catering to Daniel’s preference for well-done crusts.
In addition to pizza, The Violet Stone also offers a diverse menu that includes appetizers, salads, pasta, and sandwiches. Among the appetizers are hand-breaded fried mozzarella and cheesesteak eggrolls, while the pasta selection boasts classic dishes alongside specialties like Spicy Rig and Baked Crab Fusilli. The unique pizza offerings include creatively topped varieties such as Sticky Fingers and Spicy Boi, further enhancing the dining experience.
The Violet Stone has already garnered attention from pizza enthusiasts beyond St. Petersburg. Renowned pizza critic Dave Portnoy rated the establishment’s pizza with a score of 7.9 and gave an impressive 9.2 for its cheesesteak, bolstering its reputation for quality. The restaurant operates daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and extends its hours until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Daniel Fekete’s vision for The Violet Stone is not just about serving delicious food; it aims to create a sense of community akin to the family-owned shops he remembers from Philadelphia. The dedicated team, ranging from young teenagers to seasoned bakers, shares this goal, working diligently to ensure that every dish meets their high standards. Each member of the team consistently evaluates whether they would choose to eat the food they prepare, further emphasizing their commitment to quality.
The restaurant also has a vibrant takeout section adorned with murals that evoke nostalgia for Philadelphia, painted by local artist Matt Kress. This art adds to the local character of The Violet Stone, making it a point of interest not only for the food but for its creative and family-friendly environment.
Customers interested in the latest updates and offerings can follow The Violet Stone on various social media platforms, ensuring they stay informed about special events and menu changes. With its unique concept and dedication to quality, The Violet Stone aspires to become a beloved fixture in the St. Petersburg dining scene.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Harvard Reveals a 700-Year-Old Magna Carta Manuscript
Additional Resources
- St. Pete Rising: The Violet Stone’s New Location
- Philadelphia Inquirer: Jackson Street Steaks Opening
- I Love the Burg: Cheesesteak Truck to Brick & Mortar
- NJ.com: Best Cheesesteaks
- Wikipedia: Pizza
- Google Search: Violet Stone St. Petersburg
- Google Scholar: Pizza
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cheesesteak
- Google News: St. Petersburg Food Scene
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
