Mister o1 Extraordinary Pizza
by Jeannine Gage
From its humble beginnings in a small Miami Beach storefront, Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza has built its reputation on creating delicious pizza that lives up to the company’s name.
Founded by Italian Chef Renato Viola, the pizzeria has evolved into a nationally recognized brand with a loyal following across Florida, Texas, and Georgia – including a location in Lake Mary.
Mister O1 is known for its signature pizza dough: thin, light, and fermented for a minimum of 72 hours to achieve optimal texture and flavor. Toppings reflect the same attention to detail, blending premium ingredients imported from Italy with carefully sourced local products.
Pizza choices include classics such as cheese, Margherita and pepperoni, while custom creations include the Riccardo (tomato sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, and roasted pepper puree) and the Mimmo (tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy salami calabrese, Italian sausage, natural honey, basil, ranch dressing, and spicy black truffle seasoning). Salads, dessert pizzas, and a variety of burrata offerings (fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream) round out the menu.
A Perfect Fit
When the brand was looking to expand into Central Florida, Lake Mary stood out as a prime location. The city’s strong sense of community and growing food scene made it a natural fit, according to Fabiana Felice, the Orlando regional marketing representative for Mister O1.
“Lake Mary is a place where people come together, connect, and appreciate meaningful experiences,” she says. “That aligns perfectly with the values of Mister O1.”
The vision behind the brand belongs to Chef Viola, whose pizza journey began in southern Italy. He started apprenticing with master pizzaiolos at age 11, immersing himself early in the traditions of Italian pizza-making.
Over time, his inventive approach earned more recognition, including top honors at the Pizza World Championship for creating the Star Luca, the world’s first star-shaped pizza. That creativity eventually brought Chef Viola to the United States under an O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary artistic ability.
Since opening in November 2023 as Central Florida’s first Mister O1 location, the Lake Mary restaurant has been met with enthusiastic support in the community. Growth has been driven largely by word of mouth, with guests recommending Mister O1 and its food to their friends and family. For the restaurant’s team, the guest experience is paramount. Being part of local residents’ day-to-day lives – whether for a quick lunch or a special celebration – is what defines the eatery’s success.
Building Community Connections
Community has always been at the heart of Mister O1’s journey. The brand’s first Miami Beach location was an out-of-the-way space with just a few tables, discovered and championed by locals who shared its story. That same mindset continues today, regardless of location.
In Lake Mary, the restaurant participates in community events, hosts spirit nights and group gatherings, and supports organizations such as the Seminole County Chamber, the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center, and local schools.
“Our goal goes beyond business,” says Fabiana. “It’s about creating a sense of family and belonging.”
The Lake Mary location reflects the city’s family-driven, outdoors-oriented lifestyle. The restaurant’s patio overlooking a lake is a standout feature, offering scenic views and direct access to the Seminole Wekiva Trail – an experience unique within the Mister O1 portfolio, says Fabiana. Families stop in after soccer practice, couples enjoy quiet evenings by the lake, neighbors meet for lunch, and cyclists drop by after riding the trail.
There is another Mister O1 location in Oviedo and more are planned across Central Florida. Yet as Mister O1 continues to grow, its mission remains unchanged: serve exceptional pizza while becoming a valued part of every community it calls home.