A new Italian steakhouse called Falchetta is set to take over the former Johnny Pepperoni space at 219 11th Street in Hoboken, bringing steaks, housemade pasta, and classic Italian dishes to a corner that served pizza for 15 years before closing earlier in 2026. The concept comes from restaurateur John Avoletta and Chef Cliff Crooks, who say they hope to open in the coming months.
According to Hoboken Girl, Falchetta is a collaboration between Avoletta and Crooks, who is a managing partner at New Chapter Hospitality. The two developed the concept together, centering the menu on Italian cuisine and steakhouse favorites, with plans to feature steakhouse classics alongside elevated Italian fare. The name carries personal weight for Avoletta, who said it comes from his family in Italy, calling the project personally meaningful and a connection back to his roots.
Crooks brings experience beyond the Hoboken dining scene: he has appeared on Food Network’s *Chef Bootcamp* and has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants. He is also City Bistro’s culinary director and managing partner, with the restaurant highlighting his interest in locally sourced ingredients and combining flavors. That background gives Falchetta’s steak-and-Italian menu a chef-led dimension, even as the team has yet to release the full menu. Crooks’ Food Network appearance and City Bistro’s description of his culinary background provide a picture of his experience.
Crooks is expected to bring his own culinary vision to the kitchen, though the restaurant has not announced its full menu. What has been confirmed is a focus on steaks, homemade pasta, and elevated Italian dishes, paired with cocktails and what the team describes as a welcoming atmosphere.
Liquor License Secured, Cocktail Program In the Works
Falchetta has already acquired a liquor license, the report notes, and plans call for a curated selection of Italian wines alongside an elevated cocktail program designed by Thierry Carrier. No details on pricing, hours, or seating have been released, and the restaurant has not shared a full rundown of what will land on the plate.
A liquor license also brings local oversight: Hoboken’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is responsible for issuing, renewing and transferring retail liquor licenses in the city. The board works with the police department on enforcement of state and local alcohol rules and can hold administrative hearings over alleged violations. The city’s process means the license is more than a menu addition; it falls under ongoing municipal regulation. Hoboken’s ABC Board handles those licensing and enforcement responsibilities.
The team is hiring for all positions as it prepares to open, with applicants able to apply through the New Chapter Hospitality website. Falchetta's operators say they plan to share more details as the opening gets closer.
A Shifting Timeline for the 11th Street Space
Exactly when Falchetta will open remains an open question. An earlier Hoboken Girl report on the Johnny Pepperoni closure said the team was targeting a fall 2026 opening for the new concept, and noted that construction was underway at the space as of September 2026. The more recent announcement instead says only that the team hopes to open in the coming months, without committing to a specific date.
New Chapter Hospitality's Growing Hoboken Footprint
Avoletta and Crooks have already worked together on Viv + Jules, which opened in December 2025 in the former Stewed Cow space at 400 Adams Street. That project took the form of an American brasserie, with shareable plates, larger-format dishes and craft cocktails—a different format from the steakhouse now planned for 11th Street. The restaurant site had an earlier life as Gaslight, a brunch spot remembered by longtime locals. Viv + Jules’ opening and concept mark a recent precedent for the partners’ work in Hoboken.
Falchetta marks the latest addition to New Chapter Hospitality's presence in Hoboken. The group is also behind Viv + Jules, an American brasserie that opened late last year in the former Stewed Cow space at 400 Adams Street, and City Bistro, a longtime Italian-American restaurant at 56 14th Street known for its popular rooftop bar. With Falchetta, the company is betting on a third concept in a city that has shown steady appetite for new dining spots replacing longtime neighborhood staples.
