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The stretch of W48th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue is staking its claim to be a miniature alternative to Restaurant Row as pizza chain Emmy Squared makes a long-awaited debut, and the neighboring Civilian Hotel prepares to debut its rooftop bar.

Emmy Squared Pizza is open for business on W48th Street. Photo: Wesley Salim

The north side of the street welcomed Emmy Squared’s first midtown restaurant at the end of September and by the end of this month, will have Starchild, a swish rooftop bar on the 27th floor of the hotel.

Emmy Squared’s new restaurant takes over the 311 West 48th Street spot vacated by Patzeria Family and Friends during the pandemic.

General manager Rowland Goodwine told W42ST that Emmy wants to be “your neighborhood go-to restaurant serving great, craveable food.”

Emmy Squared Pizza General Manager Rowland Goodwine on W48th Street. Photo: Wesley Salim

The chain has expanded rapidly since it was founded in Williamsburg in 2016, offering Detroit-style pizza in New York. It is an offshoot of Emily and Matt Hyland’s successful Pizza Loves Emily mini-chain.

Despite risking charges of heresy by offering an alien style in a city devoted to the slice, Emmy Squared has thrived and the Hell’s Kitchen restaurant is its 19th location, with branches in eight states, although so far none in Michigan. The crispy cheese “frico” edges are what makes the pies Detroit-style.

The chain is named for founder Emily Hyland, while her co-founder, chef and husband Matt Hyland has a burger named after him. Le Big Matt is regularly voted one of the city’s best burgers — most recently by The Infatuation.

The two-patty burger with generously melted American cheese, special “Sammy” sauce, pickles and waffle fries is now eligible for consideration for our very own Best Burger list.

Emmy Squared Pizza on W48th Street is open for business. Photo: Wesley Salim

Emmy Squared also calls its gluten-free pizzas as good as the traditional. (For a full list of everything gluten-free in Hell’s Kitchen, check out our app!). 

The chain’s branch on W48th will be followed by another at Lincoln Center early next month.  200 W60th Street, near the corner with Amsterdam Avenue, will be the 20th Emmy Squared.

Howard Greenstone, chief executive officer of Emmy Squared Pizza, said: “Our brand was born in New York City and we are humbled by the enthusiasm and support we are receiving from the community as we introduce Emmy Squared Pizza into these locations, providing our classic dishes to the Broadway theater and Lincoln Center fans.”

Emmy Squared Pizza is also well known for its burger. Photo: Wesley Salim

W48th St Emmy-goers will soon be able to head next door for an open-air aperitif with a view as the Civilian Hotel counts down to opening its Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge on its 27th floor. The bar will boast a retractable roof for when the weather is good, two outdoor patios and views of the Hudson as well as the city skyline.

Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge will open on the 27th floor of the Civilian Hotel later this month with large format cocktails. Photo: Alex Staniloff

Sean Christie, the CEO of Civilian Hotel’s parent company Carver Road Hospitality, said demand for using Manhattan’s roof space is huge — although capacity here is limited to 100.

“There is an insatiable appetite for rooftops in Manhattan,” said Christie. “Starchild is the convergence of the spirit and culture of the burgeoning neighborhood, and our success and passion for creating intimate and exhilarating experiences.”

The elevated venue will have snacks and service to match: caviar and chips to go with espresso martinis, large format cocktails created by Francesco Lafranconi and bottle service. There will also be pizza for slice-lovers who didn’t stop at Emmy Squared.

Master mixologist Francesco Lafranconi at Rosevale Kitchen at the Civilian Hotel in Hell`s Kitchen. Photo: Michael Simon/startraksphoto.com

Ordinary outdoor drinkers can test its cocktails from October 29 — in time for Halloween — with its official opening party on Monday October 27.

The somewhat macabre theme will be the “27 club” — a reference to the young, glamorous and doomed actors and musicians such as James Dean, Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse who died at 27 with their promise unfulfilled, but their legend assured.

Next to open on the street will be the hotel’s Rosevale Kitchen + Cocktail Room, on the first and second floor — cementing W48th Street’s new destination status.

Emmy Squared Pizza has taken over the space vacated by Patzeria Family and Friends next to the Civilian Hotel. Photo: Phil O’Brien

And fans of the lost Patzeria can relax – there is still a linked operation at 231 W46th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue (opposite Hamilton).