For over a decade, Main St. Pizza Company, nestled on East Main Street in Batavia, NY, has been a local favorite. Owner Vic Marchese harbored a dream since day one: to enrich his menu with pasta dishes inspired by his mother’s cherished sauce and meatball recipes. However, the bustling pizzeria’s compact kitchen simply couldn’t accommodate this culinary expansion – until now.
After three years of meticulous planning and construction, Marchese realized his vision. Main St. Pizza Batavia NY unveiled a significantly larger kitchen and a beautifully designed, spacious dining area accommodating 75 guests. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers eager to experience the enhanced offerings.
“I always had faith in the success of this expansion, knowing how much people adore my mother’s sauce,” Marchese shared. His voice filled with emotion as he added, “She passed away four years ago, and I deeply wish she could be here to witness this. She would have loved being part of it, chatting with customers and lending a hand in the kitchen.”
This expansion is more than just bricks and mortar for Marchese. It’s the realization of multiple aspirations: honoring his mother’s culinary legacy, reintroducing authentic Italian dining to Batavia, doubling the restaurant’s capacity, and crafting a more refined dining atmosphere.
Marchese personally oversaw the new dining room’s design, collaborating with his wife and an interior designer. Together, they selected elegant tabletops and plush upholstery for the booth seating beneath a custom “Main Street” sign, flanked by wine racks. The tasteful blend of wood and brick creates a warm, urban ambiance, reminiscent of classic bistros.
“My aim was to create something truly exceptional,” Marchese explained. “I wanted to establish the premier dining destination in Batavia, on par with top-tier restaurants in any major city.”
Customer feedback confirms his success. Patrons frequently comment that the new dining room evokes the sophisticated atmosphere of restaurants in Boston or Montreal. Beyond the ambiance, the generous portions, welcoming service, and delectable food contribute to a sense of home and belonging.
“The most touching compliment I’ve received is when people express their gratitude for creating this space for them,” Marchese revealed. “Beyond the food and pizza, they appreciate this building as a community asset.”
Adding to the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere is a wall adorned with photographs showcasing local Batavia scenes, alongside heartwarming snapshots of Winston, the family dog, and enticing images of Main St. Pizza Batavia NY’s signature dishes. These local photographs are the work of Batavia residents Mark Gutman and Howard Owens, further grounding the restaurant in its community.
A standout feature is the expansive 16-foot front window that seamlessly opens during pleasant weather, blurring the lines between indoors and out. Diners can enjoy not only a view of downtown Batavia but also an open-air café experience, a rare and delightful offering in the area.
Given its growing popularity, Main St. Pizza Batavia NY now accepts reservations, especially recommended for weekend dining. Tables by the coveted open window are highly sought after, offering the perfect spot to savor the restaurant’s offerings.
While Marchese’s mother’s sauce and meatballs remain central to the menu, much of the exciting culinary innovation stems from Main St. Pizza Batavia NY’s newly appointed executive chef, Jason Ball. A Batavia native and graduate of Erie County Community College’s culinary program, Ball brings a wealth of experience from his roles as sous chef and executive chef at esteemed regional establishments, most recently at Orazio’s in Clarence, a Taste of Buffalo award-winning restaurant. His return to his hometown marks an exciting chapter for Batavia’s dining scene.
Initially, Ball admitted to skepticism when approached about an executive chef position at a pizza restaurant. “Executive chef in a pizza shop? No way,” he initially thought. However, a conversation with Marchese and understanding his vision quickly changed his perspective. “This is truly something special,” Ball realized. “I’ve always wanted to contribute something significant to my hometown, and this is it. We envisioned something exceptional, and we are making it happen.”
To prepare for his role, Ball immersed himself in culinary inspiration during a family trip to New York City, exploring the bistros of Little Italy. He absorbed the atmosphere and gathered ideas, contributing to the menu’s authentic Italian feel. Further emphasizing the commitment to quality, Marchese and Ball visited Tony B’s in Rochester, where a steak dish inspired the inclusion of a premium steak option on Main St. Pizza Batavia NY’s menu.
The result is an Angus filet mignon, a top-quality cut priced at $38 on the menu. Despite the price point, its popularity speaks volumes about its quality. Ball aims to offer “the best cut of steak in Batavia,” reflecting the restaurant’s overall commitment to excellence.
Marchese and Ball prioritize first-rate quality across the board, sourcing the finest ingredients, including cheese from Yancey’s Fancy and homemade ice cream from Oliver’s Candies for dessert, continuing the dedication to local partnerships.
Chef Ball enjoys creative freedom, crafting unique daily specials and exceptional weekend features, such as a recent offering of ahi tuna steak with vegetables and jasmine rice.
The appetizer menu features playful and flavorful options like the “Winstonator,” named after the family dog, consisting of two generous 10-ounce meatballs smothered in mom’s sauce and cheese. Ball’s signature addition, Arancini, Sicilian rice balls filled with asparagus, ricotta, and various cheeses, served with a roasted tomato sauce and chive oil, has quickly become a menu favorite.
“We want to provide our customers with an exceptional dining experience,” Ball emphasized. “Enjoying a meal out should be an experience. While anyone can prepare spaghetti and meatballs at home, we strive for a top-notch level of service, a fantastic ambiance, and food that surpasses anything this town has seen before. We have set our standards incredibly high.”
Marchese hopes that every guest leaves Main St. Pizza Batavia NY feeling like they’ve enjoyed a genuine Italian dining experience, beyond just pasta or meatballs. “When you visit an Italian family’s home, you always eat abundantly and never leave hungry,” Marchese explained. “That’s the feeling I want to recreate here. Our portions are generous because I never want anyone to leave feeling unsatisfied. So far, it’s been wonderful seeing people leave with doggie bags – it means they’ve truly enjoyed a hearty, home-style Italian meal.”
Jason Ball
