Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza Opens in Sarasota on June 23

SARASOTA, Fla., June 13, 2026 — Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, the Michelin-recommended artisan pizzeria founded in Miami Beach, opens its first Sarasota location on Tuesday, June 23, at The Market at University Town Center. The debut marks the brand's entry into the Gulf Coast market and brings one of Florida's most closely watched pizza concepts to a city with a rapidly expanding dining scene.

The Sarasota location at 5231 University Parkway, Suite 111, represents the brand's first foothold in the area. A second location is already planned near Heritage Harbour later in 2026 as part of a broader push across Sarasota, Tampa, St. Petersburg and surrounding Gulf Coast markets.

The arrival of a Michelin-recognized brand reflects a broader national trend in which acclaimed independent restaurant concepts expand beyond their original urban cores into high-growth Florida markets. For a closer look at the artisan pizza traditions that inform Mister O1's approach, HCP Good Food's Italian recipe collection offers useful context on the Italian culinary heritage behind techniques like slow-fermented dough.

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza: A Brand Built on an Extraordinary Visa

Italian-born chef Renato Viola founded Mister O1 in Miami Beach in 2014 after arriving in the United States on an O-1 visa — a non-immigrant work permit reserved for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field, including the culinary arts. The restaurant's name draws directly from that designation. Viola launched the brand alongside partner Humberto Mascagni.

Viola grew up in Southern Italy and developed his craft from the age of 11, training alongside the country's leading pizza chefs and going on to win multiple awards in Italy and across Europe before relocating to the United States. The Miami Beach flagship at 1680 Michigan Ave., tucked steps from Lincoln Road Mall, subsequently earned a listing in the Michelin Guide, which praised the restaurant's dedication to dough craft and its Star Luca signature pie. Since then, the brand has grown to include multiple locations across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.

Karif Cohen operates the Sarasota-area locations as owner and operator, with Daniel Cohen serving as CEO of ACA and John Labarge as regional operations partner overseeing the Gulf Coast expansion.

The Pizza: 72-Hour Dough, Italian Flour, Roman Thin Crust

Mister O1's menu centers on Roman-style thin-crust pizza made with dough that ferments for a minimum of 72 hours before service. The process uses imported Italian flour and is designed to produce a lighter, more digestible crust compared to conventional pizza dough. Most ingredients are imported from Italy or sourced locally.

Signature offerings include the Star Luca, a star-shaped pizza whose crust edges fold into distinct points, filled with ricotta and topped with mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, spicy Calabrese salami and basil. The menu spans 13-inch thin-crust pies, smaller eight-inch individual pizzas, and a burrata bar. Dessert options include a Nutella pie built on the brand's signature pizza dough and finished with powdered sugar.

The Michelin Guide's listing for the Miami Beach original notes that the Star Luca "reflects the chef's passion for pizza dough," singling out the 72-hour slow-proofed Italian flour base as the defining characteristic of the restaurant's output. The same techniques and product standards carry across all Mister O1 locations.

Sarasota Location Details and Operating Hours

The Market at University Town Center location opens June 23 at 5231 University Parkway, Suite 111, Sarasota. The restaurant operates seven days a week. Sunday through Thursday hours run 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., while Friday and Saturday hours extend to 11 p.m.

The Sarasota opening arrives as the city's dining profile continues to rise. Three Sarasota restaurants received Michelin Guide recognition in 2026 Lucky 8 earned a Bib Gourmand award and Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery and Tralia both received Michelin-recommended status. Mister O1 would join that list at UTC, adding to what has become one of Florida's fastest-developing restaurant markets outside of Miami.

More information about Indian cuisine and its regional diversity can be explored through Indian cuisine history and traditions.

Businesses monitoring hospitality expansion trends can also explore restaurant industry growth trends for 2026 to understand how regional food concepts are shaping dining markets.