By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
Connecticut and New York have been surrounded in constant debates about who has the best pizza. Many love the style of a New York folding slice while others want a charred New Haven style pie.
At Salty Tomato you can get the best of both worlds with a renowned chef making it from scratch.
Enter Nikolaos “Niko” Saragias, who took over ownership of West Haven’s Salty Tomato. Located at 18 Ocean Ave., the Salty Tomato had its soft opening several weeks ago and is set for its grand re-opening on Jan. 22, which will feature the traditional ribbon cutting and appearance from West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer.
Niko Saragias brought over three decades of culinary experience when he became the owner of the Salty Tomato. Hailing from New York state, Saragias began cooking around the age of 16, after being inspired watching his mother cook at home. Saragias would later attend the Culinary Institute of America, leading him later on with opportunities to work with the likes of Jean-George Vongerichten and Bobby Flay.
Saragias would then build over 30 years of culinary experience in the Manhattan area, before moving to Connecticut roughly a decade ago. Upon becoming owner of Salty Tomato Chef Niko has renovated the restaurant, adding a fuller kitchen space and in-door dining which is able to seat up to 25 people.
Renovating the space isn’t only what Niko did though, as he made revamps to the Salty Tomato’s menu, adding the iconic Sicilian squares which are rare to find in the area, along with a mix of New York and New Haven style pizzas and grinders, along with various other options such as breads, garlic knots and chicken wings. Chef Niko prides the Salty Tomato on serving freshly made food, telling the Voice that nothing served is canned or pre-made and especially not frozen.
The Salty Tomato also is looking to add a weekend brunch service soon, which will feature a full coffee bar and breakfast pizzas. The restaurant will also have options for half-tray and full tray catering events. Overall, if you do not feel like dining in, you can do delivery with Doordash or Grubhub.
Chef Niko told the Voice that the delivery option on Owner.com will soon be available and that he is actively looking for a delivery driver, so customers don’t have to pay any types of delivery fees.
Although Niko wasn’t born in West Haven, he has become a proud ‘Westie’ and hopes that the restaurant will bring friends and families together, along with making a positive mark for West Haven dining options along the shoreline. All the changes are in an effort to bring the restaurant to “its next level,” while also stating how he wants to give more back to the community as well, saying “I look forward to serving the community.”
Niko has been a proud supporter of little league baseball in West Haven and sponsored the league during its previous season. Niko has also donated to the nearby West Haven High School and several of its departments.
As Niko has given back to the community, the community has also given back to him, as many customers have dubbed Salty Tomato as having the “best grinders in Connecticut.”