STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Over Labor Day weekend, Wynwood Street Eats debuted at the Urby complex in Stapleton with its all-day breakfast, burger and sandwich program. About four weeks into the business' lifespan, owner Mike LiDonni realized something clicked rather nicely.
“I went to open the restaurant on Sundays and we had people waiting outside for us,” he said. So LiDonni decided to open an hour earlier on that day, now at 8 a.m., to accommodate the early birds.
Chicken 'n' Waffles (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
And the people are coming daily rather steadily, he said. That’s a bit surprising because in the past on weekday mornings, with most other eateries open later in the day, Urby tends to be a sleepy place. Now, says LiDonni, he’s seen guests from all around the Island with quite a number coming from the South Shore. (He said that’s the upside of getting names and addresses for contact tracing.)
Located at 24 Navy Pier Ct., Wynwood takes the name of a Florida town and its theme reflects a tropical feel. Actually, the decor remains from former iterations Vice (closed in November) and Gringos (closed June, 2019.)
Wynwood Street Eats is located in Urby, Stapleton. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
“A big reason why I was able to come in here and take over was because there wasn’t much to do to it. It was almost turn key. I had come up with a concept and signage. Me being in the business I have a lot of outlets to cooks and servers. And it made life a little easier for me,” said LiDonni about his journey to rev the spot back up into action.
Yet this isn’t LiDonni’s first food service rodeo.
“I started in the deli business with my family. My father owned a deli in Brooklyn until I was in my 20s. The business closed. Then I got into the beer business — I did that for 15 years,” said the proprietor. He reflected, “In a round about way I was in the hospitality business. Then an opportunity came along with The Pizza Parlor and I got back into the thing I loved — being with people.” And from the Annadale eatery he became an operating partner at Richmond Republic in Eltingville.
Cookie Monster Shake (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
“Building the cocktail menus, building the food menus — that excites me,” LiDonni confessed.
“Sometimes there are blessings,” said LiDonni. This new place with its casual breakfast-y, juice bar and milkshake offerings seems to be filling a void: there’s no diner in the area and the Wynwood menu is broad enough to appeal to a greater swath of ages and palates.
“I thought there was a breakfast opportunity around here. Eventually we’ll transition into dinner,” he said, admitting, “It’s tough not having a liquor license.” On the flip side, that gives his executive chef, Joaquim Castillo, the occasion to tap into his creative mind. It also lends more time for focus on the food.
Wynwood’s kitchen turns out uber fluffy pancakes, among them a stack made with fresh corn, thick-cut maple-bacon chunks and cheddar cheese. There are omelets, riffs on Eggs Benedict, a lox platter, country oatmeal, salads and “hand helds,” sandwiches that include falafel, steak, burgers and even a gyro.
While it’s a carnivore’s delight to peruse past dishes like Korean pork belly on a bun, chicken satay, chicken pot pie empanadas and a Big Mac Cheesesteak, there also are vegan options. A kimchee-beet-flax seed-red lentil burger, Bang Bang Cauliflower Skewers, fresh juices and Avocado Fries should fit a patron’s meat-free bill.
Fresh juices to go (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
Lunch specials, like all the food, can be delivered, picked up or eaten in Wynwood’s spacious dining room. For the rest of November, LiDonni features a $9.99 deal Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. That includes an entree from a select list plus “seashore” fries and a beverage. A cold-pressed juice can be tacked onto the order for an additional $6, a savings of about $3 from the original price.
LiDonni remains remarkably positive about the restaurant’s future. Tables are well-spaced. He has a cleaning team scrub and detail the restaurant daily. He’s meticulous about the contact tracing and logging temperatures.
The Cuban Sandwich (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
“People are still hesitant to eat inside,” he said. “We’re still dealing with that."
He said, “Here we are today starting up at the most difficult time to start a restaurant. I guess once a vaccine comes out things will loosen up with the government. There are a lot of people who do want to go out. They feel normal when they go out. I think people are really waiting for that again, to come in and have dinner and enjoy a night out.”
LiDonni concluded on Wynwood, “I think it’s eventually going to be a place to be.”
Hours are Monday through Thursday 9 am. To 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 am. To 5 p.m. The website is WynwoodNYC.com.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
The Greek Gyro (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
Calamari and shrimp in a cone (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
Reuben Sandwich with an egg (Courtesy of Movement Management)Wynwood Cafe
The Hulk is a juice with celery and greens. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
Maple-bacon-corn pancakes with cheddar and scallions (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
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