After its Montclair opening in 2021, Teglia Pizza Bar quickly arrived at local legend status, mostly to the credit of its fluffy + flavorful square pies. So when the owners of the pizzeria announced that they’d be opening a BYOB sit-down restaurant in the spring of 2023, Montclair residents were excited about the prospect of more delicious eats to indulge in. Eleven South opened at 11 South Fullerton Avenue last May, serving up an expansive menu of Southern Italian eats. Just seven months after opening, the restaurant abruptly closed its doors on December 17, 2023, announcing the closure through an Instagram post. Though Eleven South has closed, Teglia Pizza Bar will remain open. Read on for what we know about Eleven South’s closure in Montclair.
The Announcement
On Tuesday, December 19th, Eleven South took to Instagram to announce its closure. The Eleven South team expressed gratitude to locals: “We want to thank all of our valued customers for their patronage at Eleven South,” but went on to share that “It is with a heavy heart that unfortunately, this past Sunday [December 17th] was our last evening.” See the post below.
View this post on Instagram
Eleven South didn’t disclose its reason for closure in the post and limited comments underneath it. The Montclair Girl reached out to Eleven South and Teglia Pizza Bar for comment but has yet to receive a response. Teglia Pizza Bar will remain open, continuing to satisfy Sicilian slice cravings for Montclair locals everywhere.
Read More: The Maddox + Musuko Restaurant Duo Closes in Montclair
About Eleven South
Ahead of its opening in 2023, The Montclair Girl spoke with Joseph Catalano (owner of Teglia Pizza Bar and formerly Eleven South) for an inside look at the forthcoming space. Joseph drew inspiration from his Sicilian roots to create a “light and energetic” space. At the time, Joseph said this was an intentional departure from some of the darker ambiances currently dominating the restaurant world. Eleven South was to be “a great vibe and energy that patrons can share an uplifting experience.”
The food menu was an extension of Teglia — “a trip through Sicily,” with traditional and non-traditional dishes battling for tastebud dominance. Some highlights were the Arancini (aka rice balls), Caponata, Lamb shank, and house-made pasta dishes. There were also two kinds of Sfincione, a traditional Sicilian pizza with tomato, anchovy, onions, capers, and olives.
See More: Where to Get Your Sicilian Pizza Fix in Hoboken + Jersey City
Locals will surely miss Eleven South, but can still get their Sicilian fix at Teglia Pizza Bar, which is right down the street at 438 Bloomfield Avenue. And, if you’re ever in the mood for a self-guided Sicilian slice crawl, we’ve got all the spots you need at this link.
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