Elkhart Lake will soon have its very first pizza restaurant.
That’s right. In the 100+ year history of the village, Elkhart Lake has never had a pizzeria. But the forthcoming opening of Harry’s Pizza e Vino Restaurant and Wine Bar will change all of that.
The new full-service pizzeria, owned by Avni (Al) Latifi and his wife Laurie, will make its debut on Aug. 22 at 111 E. Rhine St. in the former home of a Subway restaurant.
Harry’s Pizza e Vino will specialize in certified Roman-style pizza, a unique pizza style that features a crisp, yet airy crust made from high-hydration dough which has fermented for up to 96 hours, enhancing the crust’s flavor. Due to the time-intensive dough-making process, both gluten and carbohydrates are broken down, making the cooked crust easier for most to digest.
The Latifis first introduced the Roman-style pies at Harry’s Pizza Market in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in July of 2020. But, after a year of operations there, they decided to focus on finding a more appropriate location for the uniquely delicious pies.
Latifi and his nephew Adrian Latifi, who owns Harry’s Prohibition Bistro in Sheboygan, received their Roman-style pizza certification during a week-long full immersion course at The Roman Pizza Academy in Miami, Florida in 2019. The two were among the first of 100 chefs in the United States to earn the Roman al Taglio Pizza accreditation. Currently, they are also the only two certificate holders in the State of Wisconsin.
On the menu
The inaugural menu at Harry’s Pizza e Vino will feature 12-inch personal-size pizzas with specialty toppings. Signature pizzas will include classics like Margherita and Sausage (tomato sauce, Italian sausage, mozzarella, and basil); along with more creative offerings like Puttanesca (San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, olives, hot soppressata, calabrese peppers, mozzarella, parmesan and fresh basil); and Walnut (topped with oven roasted walnuts, walnut puree, sliced mushrooms, fontina, cream cheese and olive oil).
In addition to pizza, the menu will feature appetizers like The Winners Circle (farm fresh vegetables, house pesto, burrata cheese and Roman bread), along with salads served atop a baked pizza crust. Desserts will include peanut butter panna cotta and affogato (espresso over ice cream).
At the bar, guests can enjoy specialty cocktails (including Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Negroni and limoncello and Aperol spritzes) and a variety of draft and bottled beer. The eatery will also feature a broad range of vintner-selected wines including offerings from Macedonia to honor the Latifi family’s heritage.
“We are thrilled to bring Roman pizza back to Wisconsin in a location with so much history,” notes Al Latifi. “And we are excited to service this unique locale for destination dining!”
Beginning Aug. 22, Harry’s Pizza e Vino will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. Guests can follow @harryspizzaevino on social media for updates.
The Latifi family currently owns three restaurants in Sheboygan County including Harry’s Diner on Calumet, Harry’s Prohibition Bistro and Harry’s Pizza e Vino.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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