Rubirosa is a neighborhood family operated Italian-American restaurant and pizzeria founded in 2009 by AJ Pappalardo. AJ’s father, Giuseppe Pappalardo founded the Staten Island institution, Joe and Pat’s. AJ opened Rubirosa to create an institution of his own In Manhattan. AJ was inspired by the family’s 60+ year signature pizza recipe to create our pizzas served at Rubirosa. Rubirosa is located in the heart of Nolita and its clientele bridges the gap between the old and new neighborhood regulars.