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Kourosh Malekan graduated into a tough job market.
“Years ago, when I finished school, there was not a lot of jobs available,” he said. “So, I made pizza my career. It’s something I knew a lot about, and I’m good at it. The rest is history.”
He’s now the proud owner of San Marzano Trattoria, purveyors of brick oven pizza, and just opened a third location on Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma.
The other San Marzano Trattoria locations are in Merrick and Manhattan.
Kourosh grew up around authentic Italian cooking, he said.
Despite all those dishes, his childhood favorite remained his adult favorite: pizza.
The firewood you see inside his pizzerias look pretty, but they aren’t for show.
They are placed and stacked for utility and efficiency, all to crank out consistent, wood-fired pies that are made to order.
The method he developed and an unwavering commitment to never skimping on the freshest of ingredients is what he’s most proud of.
“We pay close attention to our ingredients,” he said. “Every dish on the menu is prepared as if it was made for my family members.”
Some locals already have favorites that include the Forresta Pie (fresh mozzarella, speck
prosciutto, arugula, and extra virgin olive oil) and the Margherita pie (fresh mozzarella, tomato
sauce, basil, extra virgin olive oil.)
San Marzano Trattoria also offers a variety of salads and pasta dishes.
He suggests dining-in.
“If it’s possible, I would love for everyone to enjoy my food here on location,” he said. “I feel that the taste of the food is much better when it’s made fresh for you.
“There is nothing like freshly-made pizza.”
Work on the new location at 135 Portion Road started just before the pandemic hit, then construction was paused. “It was delayed but I am thankful we are finally here,” he said.
Top: Kourosh Malekan preparing a pizza in Lake Ronkonkoma. (Starr Fuentes photos)
