Diamond
Slice

Pizza has been part of Peter's life since childhood. Growing up in an immigrant household in New York City, eating out was rare, but a neighborhood slice shop became a favorite treat and planted a love for pizza that never faded. That passion eventually led him into the restaurant business — though not right away. He and his wife, Marta, first opened Calyer Cafe together, which gave him his first real experience running a kitchen. Pizza stayed on his mind throughout, and in 2023 the two began using Calyer's space after hours on Friday nights for a pop-up called After Hours Pizza, testing pies on whoever wandered in. That casual experiment became the seed of Diamond Slice, which opened for good in February 2025.

The location carries deep personal meaning. Peter grew up in this very neighborhood — his elementary school, his church, the park he played in as a kid, and his grandmother's house all sit within a block of the shop. The space itself has history too: before becoming Diamond Slice, it was a deli the family used to order catering from, and before that, a bar called Gloria's where his parents once met up with friends. Opening a pizza shop here felt like coming full circle, rooting his own story in the same few blocks where it began.

Diamond Slice has grown into a true neighborhood gathering spot. Families stop in for dinner, kids swing by after school, and friends meet up there before heading out for a night on the avenue. It's become woven into the everyday rhythm of the community.

That sense of community extends beyond the counter. The shop recently contributed to an initiative bringing proper pizza box recycling bins to nearby McGolrick Park, and Peter and Marta make it a point to support other local businesses whenever they can. Above all, they take pride in creating a space that feels welcoming to everyone — a genuine neighborhood slice shop in every sense.