Il Cane Rosso in Deep Ellum has itself a hot new pizzaiolo

by Teresa Gubbins

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Dino Santonicola is a native of Naples, Italy.

Jay & Dino

DALLAS — Il Cane Rosso, the Neapolitan-style pizzeria in Deep Ellum, has netted itself a new pizza chef, Dino Santonicola, a native of Naples, Italy who has slung pizza around the world.

According to his bio, he was born and raised in the Spanish Quarter, "the heart and soul of Naples," and was 13 years old when he started working at a pizzeria down the street from his house. He's worked in many a Naples pizzeria, including Fiorenzano Pizzeria and Brandi Pizzeria. In 2004, he moved to Seattle to start and establish Via Tribunali Pizzeria. He left Via Tribunali in 2008, and has helped design and establish pizza kitchens at Ristorante Picolinos, Mamma Melina Ristorante, and Pizzeria Da Marco in Washington D.C.

Tuesday was his first day; a Vespa buff, he's the owner of the very fine black Vespa parked in front of the restaurant. "I've been riding Vespas since I was eight," he said, posing behind the counter with Cane Rosso owner Jay Jerrier.