Rock n Roll Pizzeria Opens on Astoria Boulevard

Nonnas 1977 on Astoria Boulevard (Queens Post)

Aug. 27, 2019 By Shane O’Brien

A new pizzeria serving the classic pizza dish in a rock n roll environment has opened on Astoria Boulevard.

Nonnas 1977 opened at 41-02 Astoria Blvd South on Wednesday, Aug. 21 and is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. from Sunday thru Thursday, and from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The restaurant blends the classic Italian dish with rock music. Seats are decorated with stickers from famous rock bands and there are plans to install a projector which will play music videos.

Nonnas 1977 is home of the self-proclaimed ‘magic slice,’ which puts a twist on the conventional pizza slice.

Leon Leandrou, Nonna’s owner, said that the restaurant’s pizzas are thin crust and cooked in squares in a pan using homemade mozzarella.

The eatery makes its own mozzarella onsite daily, according to Leandrou.

Slices at Nonnas 1977 range from $3.25 to $5.50, with whole pies costing between $18.99 and $29.99. Choices range from simple mozzarella with homemade tomato sauce and basil, to the more complex “Sheena,” which consists of apple, smoked bacon, gorgonzola, walnuts and mozzarella.

There is also a wide selection of salads and pastas available at the restaurant, along with a build your own parm option which allows guests to choose from chicken, meatballs, eggplant, meat sauce and sausage and peppers to create their own sandwich for $9.99.

The restaurant had been a fixture of the Lower East Side for over a decade, but closed down last year when its lease expired.

Leandrou decided to set up shop in Astoria 18 months after the closure because of his Astoria roots, he said.

“It was devastating not to have our lease renewed,” Leandrou said. “But I am originally from Astoria, so what better place then here. I am excited to bring our pizza, referred to Magic Slice to my old neighborhood.”