Pilot House sets sail, NY-style pizza docks at Mason

Executive Chef Peter Schoebel serves a group of George Mason University faculty and staff during a taste-testing event last week. (Daniel McEnrue) 
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UPDATED 11:46 a.m. early close

As of New School Year’s Eve 2010, Ike’s is no longer the only late-night eatery on the George Mason University campus.

The Pilot House opened its doors to the Mason community Sunday at 5 p.m. Attached to the new dormitory Hampton Roads, The Pilot House, is a 120-seat dining venue that is expected to alleviate the rush at Ike’s.

The main dish at The Pilot House is pizza. Fashioned in New York style, students will be able to grab a slice or an entire pie.

Regional District Manager of Sodexo Denise Ammaccapane who describes herself as a “pizza girl” was pleased was pleased to finally bring a slice of the pie to the Mason campus.

“We needed a place to mass produce pizza,” said Ammaccapane.

Previously, the only places to purchase pizza on-campus were at La Vincita and Southside, both only serving small-sized pizzas. But through the use of deck ovens, where temperatures can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit, pizza at the Pilot House can be cooked quickly and efficiently while not skimping on quality.

Also on the menu at the Pilot House are classic Italian items such as chicken parmesan with baked ziti, cheese shells italiano and eggplant parmesan.

Students will also be able to purchase “power-breakfast” items, such as steak and eggs and French toast, similar to those popular at the venue’s late-night brother Ike’s, as well as dinner items such as cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches.

The Pilot House will also feature a gluten-free menu.

Having a nautical theme, Ammaccapane said that design of the Pilot House is “very oceany, outdoorsy. The whole backdrop is designed to be a sunset.”

The tables are made out of natural wood and recycled tires.

The Pilot House is LEAD certified meaning that it is considered environmentally friendly. According to Ammaccapane, more sustainable paper products will be used at the facility and white Styrofoam is getting the boot.

Students will be able to stop by for a bite or grab a pizza to go starting at 5 p.m. until 4 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the weekends.

As for rumors of on-campus delivery, Ammaccapane says that won’t happen until at least January.

“[Our philosophy is] let's get this right, we don’t want to bite off more than we can chew,” said Ammaccapane.

Once the delivery option is introduced, all places on campus will be able to order from the Pilot House, including Masonvale.

Ammaccapane encourages students to give feedback on menu items. Throughout the semester new items and specials will be added to the menu.

Related Video:
 >> Pilot House's Opening Night
 >> That's no potato chip...It's a 'frip'

UPDATED 11:46 a.m.:
The Pilot House was forced to close around 11:30 p.m., nearly four hours early, because the restaurant ran out of food.

“We sold out of pizza, we were completely out, as well as [out of] many other items . . . We were packed from the time we opened till we closed,” said Ammaccapane.

The larger than expected crowd was the cause of the sell-out.