March 13, 2008

Game on Legends Pizza Co. hits a home run in Almaden

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Area residents have been clamoring for more restaurants for years. Just as fans celebrate when their team wins, a cumulative cheer could be heard throughout Almaden with the opening of Legends Pizza Co. on Jan. 20.

Legends Pizza Co. partners Josh Rimovsky and Nick Alongi are thrilled with the response to their new restaurant at Old Almaden Plaza. Photo by Jeanne C. Carbone

The “legends” in the name are the sports heroes that owners Josh Rimovsky, 28, Nick Minarik, 28 and Nick Alongi, 26, name their gourmet pizzas with monikers like the Comeback Kid, the Larry, the Babe, the Knock Out, the All-Pro, the Catch and the Great One.

“I had a dream one day about opening my own restaurant,” said Rimovsky. “I love this area. It’s so family-oriented. We remodeled the whole place. It all came together and here we are.”

And though the owners are relatively young, they’ve already had decades of experience between them. Rimovsky and Minarik worked at a pizza restaurant since age 15 starting from dishwashing and working their way up. Alongi worked by their side. Five years ago Rimovsky opened a pizza restaurant in Texas but missed his home and returned. Serendipity happened and the friends formed a partnership opening the new Legends Pizza Co.

“We wanted it upscale with sepia tones to the logos we designed,” said Rimovsky. “It was a family affair. My grandfather and uncle remodeled the whole place.”

Most important to the team is the best possible pizza with the finest ingredients and customer service. The partners have remodeled the space from top to bottom at the Old Almaden Plaza that Stuft Pizza once occupied with tile and granite floors, a banquet room, eight high definition plasma televisions and Internet access. They’re still in the process of decorating with photographs of sports legends.

When patrons enter, the team springs into action, creating thin or thick crust pizzas with a whole-wheat dough option. Gourmet pies like grilled chicken bruschetta or creamy garlic or barbecue chicken, the Hawaiian or a cheeseless vegetarian tempt all tastes. The namesake Legend sports pepperoni, sweet red onions, bell peppers, black olives, mushrooms and Italian sausage. The Larry delights with a rich pesto sauce, black olives, marinated artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes topped with Parmesan. And if you have your own special combination, the group is happy to create the pie of your choice with their fresh ingredients.

Create your own salad bar offers 30 fresh ingredients for a healthy addition to a meal.

Diners in the mood for a light meal won’t be disappointed with a salad bar of 30 fresh ingredients. Legends also offers sandwiches and appetizers including spicy and barbecue wings. And they look forward to enlarging their menu with desserts and other items in the near future.

The Legend team reports that the neighborhood response has been excellent. They’re equally excited with the dozen corporate accounts they have obtained where they go the extra mile setting up buffet tables and providing their pizza pies.

“This place is magic, everything came together,” said Rimovsky. “I would rather be here working than any other place. And we’ve had a great response. We’re living our dream.”

Legends Pizza Co. is located at 5965 Almaden Expressway, #125. They are open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (408) 323-9700.