Scott Girod is changing the name of his downtown pizzeria after learning that “Monello” is trademarked by a San Diego restaurant.
The new name: Anello.
Monello is Italian for “brat” or “street urchin”; Anello is Italian for ring, as in come full circle, which describes Girod’s journey from the kitchen of award-winning pizzaiolo Chris Bianco to opening his own pizzeria.
Girod worked for Bianco for several years in Phoenix and Tucson, where Bianco had Pizzeria Bianco at 272 E. Congress St., for two years before closing in September.
Girod on Monday said he is shooting for a late January/early February opening for Anello, 222 E. Sixth St., downtown.
Monello in San Diego is an upscale Italian restaurant that serves hand-cut charcuterie and housemade pastas including a lobster spaghetti that goes for $35.
Anello in Tucson will serve hand-tossed pizzas for around $11 and most other menu items won’t top $6.
Ryan Field seeks new restaurant vendor
Todd’s Restaurant at Ryan Field in Three Points is officially closed and the airfield is officially in the hunt for a new restaurant vendor.
As of early this week, Tucson Airport Authority, which oversees Ryan and Tucson International Airport, had inquiries from three possible vendors, said TAA spokesman David Hatfield. They hope to reopen the restaurant sometime in January.
Todd’s, operated by Todd and Shari Scott, has been closed since late September, when TAA started a $120,000 renovation project that included work on the restaurant’s roof, air conditioning system and general aesthetics, Hatfield said. It was supposed to reopen in November but the Scotts could not agree on the restaurant’s operating hours. The airport wanted the restaurant to be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Todd’s hours over the 13 years the Scotts operated the restaurant were from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
