Sometimes, smaller is better.
That’s what Solomon Shenker says as he enthuses about reopening his Sol’s NYC Delicatessen inside the Il Panificio location at 6644 Gateway Ave. that serves as a landmark entrance to the vibrant Gulf Gate dining and entertainment district.
Nick Melone, whose family owns and operates Il Panificio, has removed the cappuccino machine and gelato to give Shenker room to operate a counter where patrons will be able to order his famed sandwiches such as the reuben and pastrami as well as many of the other authentic Jewish soul food dishes he served at his downtown Sarasota delis including the celebrated cheesecake.
Other items, such as the blintzes, will be offered as daily specials when Sol’s NYC Delicatessen reopens for lunch and dinner starting 11 a.m. Feb. 22. In the future, Shenker also might start serving breakfast, including bagels baked on site just like the breads and pizzas.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Shenker says while preparing the new location alongside Melone in Gulf Gate. “I’m so excited. The third time is the charm. That’s all I can say.”
Shenker opened Sol’s NYC Delicatessen in the former Applebee’s space of Main Plaza, next door to the Hollywood 20 movie theater, about a year ago following a 2015 falling out with his former business partners — who happened to be his sister and brother-in-law — at the Sol Meyer NY Delicatessen, also on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. In December, Shenker amicably split from his Main Plaza business partners and announced in a joint statement he would be moving.
“The first place was too small and the second place, during season 170 seats wasn’t a problem but during summer it was just too big for our concept,” Shenker says. “And then they had to do construction so we decided to bring it over here and the money we save on overhead we can pass off to our guests.”
In addition to sharing dining and cooking space, Sol’s Deli and Il Panificio will also both be operating catering businesses.
“Anything Jews and Italians produce we can do it for anyone from 1 to 1000 people,” Shenker says. “We’re going to be doing a ton of catering.”
Melone has decided to modify his Il Panificio menu — the famed pizzas, calzones, and signature sandwiches remain — to make room for Sol’s Deli and to concentrate on his family’s popular, highly regarded restaurant next door, Off The Hook Seafood.
“Il Panicifio is very excited for the addition of Sol’s Deli to our Gulf Gate location,” Melone said on behalf his family.
In December, Sol’s NYC Deli announced it would be relocating again, to make room for Main Plaza redevelopment.