Pizza bar owned by fire+wine chef coming to Wheaton

A new restaurant offering "old world" Neapolitan pizza is coming to downtown Wheaton, filling a storefront left vacant earlier this year.

Owner Brian Goewey says his restaurant, Gia Mia Pizza Bar, will be "a really fun, handcrafted concept - chef-driven - that's affordable." It will take over the spot occupied by the now-closed Genghis Grill.

For the past three years, Goewey has worked as the chef and co-owner of fire+wine in Glen Ellyn, a popular eatery that focuses on wood-fired pizza and wine.

While Gia Mia will have a similar menu, Goewey emphasized that it is a new company, and his way of branching out and doing something on his own.

Everything in the restaurant will be focused around the Italian imported brick oven that has already been installed in the center of the restaurant.

"This is more of a really visual open concept," he said. "The bar flows around it, tables flow around it. It's a fun, casual feel."

Besides pizza, the restaurant will offer plenty of small plates, pasta and salads with "little twists," Goewey said.

Customers can also expect to find a lot of vegetarian options on the menu, along with food from local farmers and unique pasta dishes.

The restaurant is expected to open in February at 106 N. Hale St. Goewey said he has had his eye on the location since 2009, when he was a partner and chef at Ivy Restaurant, which is a few doors down from Gia Mia.

"The street is the right street," he said. "It's a little restaurant row."

Goewey said he hopes the restaurant will stand out in the market because it will be a "creative and eclectic" place where a couple can enjoy some good food and wine, but also a kid-friendly, family-friendly environment.

"We're very excited about them coming," said Downtown Wheaton Executive Director Paula Barrington.

Another restaurant may also open soon on Hale Street, Barrington said, but details are still being worked out.