They’ve taken on New York and wood-fired Neapolitan-inspired pizzas. Now, Shaz Khan and Antonio Gambino are tackling coal-fired and Roman-style pies as two new concepts in 2026. Plus, they will open even more Tono Pizzeria and Cheesesteaks and Frank and Andrea’s pizza locations.
Khan said he’s teaming up with Lupulin Brewing (570 Humboldt Dr.) in Big Lake, where he’s building out a kitchen to open SliceCraft, featuring Romanesque-style pizzas on a focaccia-based crust “with a mix of chef curated and build-your-own toppings designed for quick service.”
He added that he’s partnering with a yet-to-be-named chef to head the operation, which would open in mid-March if all goes as planned.
Meanwhile, Gambino will serve as executive chef for their upcoming St. Paul venture as well as continue to helm the kitchens at their existing concepts. As previously reported, they’re taking over the former Black Sheep space (512 N. Robert St.) in downtown St. Paul. The Gambino’s Coal Fired Pizza menu is still being finalized, but look for small plates and, of course, coal-fired pizzas when the spot opens in early-summer.
The best friends and business partners are also in expansion mode. Two more Tono locations are planned: one in the North Loop’s Wheelhouse building in Minneapolis, slated to open at the end of March, and another in the former D’Amico & Sons space in Wayzata, projected to roll out in mid-April. Meanwhile, the first concept they created together, Frank and Andrea New York-style pizza and cheesesteaks in Dinkytown, will get another off-campus outpost (and their first restaurant outside of Minnesota) later this month with the rollout of a location just off State Street near the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Northeast’s newest drinking den officially opens
Bar Oscar has replaced Dutch Bar at 2512 Central Av. N. in Minneapolis. The new bar brings with it a wealth of experience from its staff and bartender owners who have worked behind some of the best drinks spots in town (Mara, Martina, Young Joni, Spoon and Stable, The Bachelor Farmer and more).
Mike Hoolihan and Jeff Luten took over the business from Dutch Bar owner Patty Grell late last year, but it wasn’t until this month that the official new name and menu rolled out. A grand opening celebration is set for Tuesday, Feb. 10.
On the menu are cocktails built like you’d expect from this talent pool - mixing rye, lapsang tea, sweet vermouth and amaro for a Manhattan named after Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood. Most drinks are priced at $14. The food is mostly snacks (there’s not a full kitchen), but there’s also a fancy hot dog ($11) and a raclette sandwich with prosciutto ($17).
