By Liz Leamy
Last Friday, Planet Pizza of Greenwich, the renowned local eatery that had been based on Railroad Avenue for nearly three decades until it closed last spring, celebrated its reopening at its new locale on 139 West Putnam Avenue in memorable style.
This lively hotspot, which provides counter, carryout and delivery service, is now located in the same shopping center as Stop and Shop grocery store, Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors and Empy’s Day Spa and drew throes of customers on its opening day who all lined up there to enjoy its pizza, pasta, salads and other tasty fare.
“It’s been a great day and we’re really excited about being here,” said Samuel Silva, owner and proprietor of Planet Pizza since 2015. “This space is open and spacious, the parking is great and we’re located in the center of town, which is good for everyone.”
On this benchmark day, things certainly seemed to be all systems go as Silva and his staff enthusiastically greeted and served their customers such delectable items as their signature pizza, pasta and other dishes.
“I love being here with everyone,” said Silva, a Stamford resident who also owns and manages Planet Pizza on Summer Street in Stamford. “We’re looking forward to everybody [who went to the Railroad Avenue location] coming here and we want to keep providing everyone with the best experience possible.”
Clearly, Silva seems to understand the art of effectively providing exceptional food and service for his clientele, especially considering the fact that he has spent so many years working in the ‘business.’
Back in 2010, Silva first started working at Planet Pizza of Greenwich, then owned by the Rocco family who originally had opened it up in 1994, and knew right away it was a place where he felt at home.
In 2015, Silva bought Planet Pizza of Greenwich and from that point on continued to further establish it as one of the most popular pizza and pasta destinations in Greenwich and also in the Fairfield and Westchester County areas.
For Silva, the primary purpose is to always make certain to take excellent care of his customers.
“We have great customers and want to do everything to provide them with the best pizza, food and service,” said Silva, adding that many of Planet Pizza of Greenwich’s clientele are regular customers. “Everyone has always been so friendly and supportive and we have a lot of repeat customers who are amazing. They are the heart and soul here.”
The feeling of appreciation among the customers of Planet Pizza of Greenwich, meanwhile, is just as mutual.
“We always order Grandma’s pizza from Planet Pizza and everyone loves it,” said Robert Bray, owner of House of Fins, the aquarium retail and service provider located on Bruce Park Avenue in Greenwich. “It’s a big crowd pleaser.”
In regard to composing its fare, Silva and the Planet Pizza of Greenwich team make their own marinara sauce and fresh pizza dough from scratch on a daily basis, explaining so much as to why everything there always tastes so delicious.
“We make the marinara and dough everyday in house,” said Silva. “We don’t use eggs for the dough, but if the customer wants eggs, we always can make the pizza to suit them.”
At the same time, some of the most frequently ordered items on the menu include the Grandma’s Pan (featuring tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil, grated pecorino and oregano) and Premium Cheese pizzas as well as the Penne Vodka pasta, among numerous other things.
For Silva and his team, it’s all about working as hard as possible to insure that everyone who visits and connects with Planet Pizza of Greenwich always has a good time.
“It’s great to connect with everyone here,” said Silva. “You get to know so many people and that is the best thing.”
For more information, contact: Planet Pizza of Greenwich, 139 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich CT 06830. 203-622-0999
