10 food spots that opened in Selden & Centereach in 2020, despite COVID

CAPELLINI TRATTORIA PIZZERIA, SELDEN

Capellini opened in Selden in January to immediate fanfare — and stayed humming through the COVID-19 shutdowns.

The owners — Joe Pullara and Sal Cacciato, who met when they were teenagers working at Caffe Amici — found the space in June 2019 in what was the Best Yet plaza on Middle Country Road. Then got right to work.

Formerly occupied by Boccone Pizzeria & Ristorante, the space was going up for auction, but the business partners decided to make a deal.

“We called the former owner, stopped the auction, made a deal and bought it,” Pullara had told us. “We completely redesigned everything.”

After seven months, Capellini was introduced to the area.