Bruno Pizza Shakeup: Justin Slojkowski Leaves; Sous Chef Phil Marokus Promoted

Bruno Pizza's co-founding chef Justin Slojkowski has left the East Village restaurant, owner Demian Repucci says. Slojkowski launched the menu of Neapolitan pies, salads, and pastas last July with chef Dave Gulino, who left the kitchen in March. While Eater critic Ryan Sutton awarded the chefs a glowing two star review and Eater critic Robert Sietsema named their Fairytale Egglplant appetizer one of the best dishes of 2015, not all of the city's critics viewed it favorably. Pete Wells from the Times gave it zero stars.

As a switch up, now former sous chef Phil Marokus is running the kitchen as the head chef, Repucci writes in an email to Eater. "Operations, as well as the food, has been getting better ever since," he says. As part of the new era of Bruno, the restaurant will start serving brunch this weekend from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu items include a spicy micheladas, wood oven baked duck eggs, corn bread, and huevos rancheros pizza. It's "a fresh new chapter here at Bruno," Repucci says.