The Vegas Voice 2-21

“
With bread all sorrows are less” – Sancho
Panza
When Covid devastated his maturing business,
it was bread that sparked hope. Bread helped sustain Gio Mauro’s spirit.
Bread helped sustain Mauro’s developing restaurant, Pizzeria Monzu
and bread helped sustain the restaurant’s carefully curated staff,
handpicked to compliment the venue’s culture.
Mauro quickly pivoted when panic buying emptied store shelves last
March, working early mornings baking crusty loaves of sourdough
and other breads. The chef, whose culinary skills were mastered at his
mother’s side, reaped an emotional reward.
“I found such joy selling bread to people in the community. It was
really crucial to keeping us in the community. It gave me purpose.”
“I’m optimistic but I need to work hard. My spirits have been stained.
I know chefs that have closed out of sheer emotional exhaustion.”
Current restrictions
limit Monzu’s usual
seating from 140 to 35.
The bread experience
inspired a holiday
Brunch Box that
remains on the menu
- a to-go assortment
that includes a rich
French toast casserole,
frittata with vegetables,
Chef Gio Bets on Bread
By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places
Chef Gio joins wife Naomi Mauro for
a song at Pizzeria Monzu
applewood smoked
bacon, his sourdough bread, Italian sausage and a selection of cheeses.
Mauro is putting the final touches on his next take-out box, an
imaginative meal ready for Valentine’s Day dinner.
Preceding Pizzeria Monzu in the West Flamingo strip center was
Nora’s Italian Cuisine, a local favorite branded for Mauro’s mother.
After 25 years, Nora’s popularity had outgrown the intimate location
and relocated nearby. Gio and his songstress wife Naomi seized the
opportunity to create their “experience driven environment.”
The foundation of Monzu’s namesake dish is a Sicilian-style crust
which achieves Mauro’s goal to “elevate the pizza experience.” The
menu includes a selection of meats, pizzas and pastas that garnered
Desert Companion’s 2018 “New Restaurant of the Year” award.
The “experience” that Mauro created recaptures Las Vegas’ long lost
supper club days. A trio of the town’s lounge day musicians accompanies
some of the Vegas’ finest singers, including wife Naomi who headlined
on The Strip and local lounges.
The couple looks forward to the day when they can again “create
memories for families and loved ones.”
Pizzeria Monzu – 6025 W Flamingo Rd. – (702) 749-5959 – monzulv.
com
Sam Wagmeister is The Vegas Voice Nightlife Editor. He loves to
hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact him via email:
LasVegasHomeTeam@Gmail.com.
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