Paulo, a native of Cuparaque, Minas Gerais, in the southeast region of Brazil, has lived on the Island for 13 years. He was enticed to come to the Vineyard by some of his childhood friends in Brazil. Once he arrived on the Island, he knew he didn’t want to live anywhere else but here.
“The United States is a place full of possibilities — that is not just a myth. If you work hard, your dreams will come true. Everything I did for my family was because of the opportunities I had in this country. I come from humble beginnings, and ever since I started to live and work on the Island, I have been able to pay for my sister to go to college in Brazil, and she has become a social worker. I have helped my mom as well, and I have studied and learned about food. I just opened my first business, and I will be able to buy my first home with my wife Lucinda next year. I miss Brazil and want to visit my family, but in my heart, this Island is my home,” says Paulo.
Paulo’s culinary path on-Island began at Humphrey’s Bakery in West Tisbury. During his time working there, Paulo learned everything he now knows about pizza and bread, and also how to develop a business model. Over the years, Paulo was exposed to the art of pizza making, at Humphrey’s and at various other locations across the Island. He took his learning and experience, as well as his Brazilian roots, and opened a place all his own.
“After I learned the skills needed to have my own pizza restaurant, I decided it was time to realize my vision. I opened a Brazilian pizza place because I felt that there is a need as well as a market for the traditional Brazilian pizza. I bake my bread fresh in the morning, I buy everything fresh, from markets and farms from around the Island or from the best businesses outside of the Island. Even if I have to pay more to get the best products, I don’t mind, because I want to attract and captivate people that know they can trust my business model and my kitchen,” says Paulo.
In addition to the food, Paulo has focused on the layout of the restaurant, and of course service. “When I was envisioning how I wanted my kitchen, I decided that an open kitchen was the way to go. I wanted our patrons to watch how we make their food. I will also start to offer delivery this fall, as I think the Islanders will appreciate this service, especially during those cold winter nights.”
Paulo’s menu boasts carefully crafted Brazilian pizzas with the option of Catupiry, a Brazilian cream cheese. And he’s not afraid to acquaint people with new things. “When the American public first looked at my Brazilian pizza options, they wondered if eggs and my other unique combinations might taste good. However, whenever they tried it, they really loved it. I have been making more pizzas with Catupiry for the American public than for the Brazilian audience, which makes me really happy. I am introducing to them an ingredient that makes all of the difference in some of the food we cook in Brazil,” says Paulo.
As for the look and feel of Island Fresh Pizza, Paulo’s design inspiration came from a carpentry job he had at another restaurant on-Island. “I wanted a rustic design, inspired by a job I looked over, at Behind the Bookstore in Edgartown. I wanted to honor the Island’s vibe, add colors, and a type of wood that was not only visually welcoming but that could also exude a feeling of happiness when people enter the establishment. I was very particular on how I wanted my place to look.”
Want to see for yourself? Pop into Island Fresh Pizza and Subs at 395 State Road in Vineyard Haven, and say hi to Paulo and his wife Lucinda, who are the friendly faces of the Island’s newest pizza place. They’ll be happy to see and serve you, ever so grateful that the community has allowed them to fulfill their dream.
Visit their Facebook page for the menu and more information: http://bit.ly/facebook_islandpizzaandsubs.
Island Fresh Pizza & Subs summer hours: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, winter hours: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Portuguese Translation – Tradução em português
Paulo Miranda está vivendo o sonho americano. A crença de que determinação e trabalho duro são os ingredientes de sucesso é válida dentro das paredes do mais novo empreendimento de Paulo, o Island Fresh Pizza and Subs na State Road em Vineyard Haven.
Quer ver por si mesmo? Apareça na Island Fresh Pizza and Subs na 395 State Road em Vineyard Haven, e mande um oi a Paulo e à sua esposa Lucinda, que são as faces amigáveis da mais nova pizzaria da Ilha. Eles ficarão felizes de servir, sempre gratos por a comunidade ter permitido a eles a realização de um sonho.
Visite a página da pizzaria do Paulo no Facebook para mais informações e o cardápio: http://bit.ly/facebook_islandpizzaandsubs.
Horário de verão da pizzaria: 11:00 da manhã até 11:00 da noite. Horário de inverno: 11:00 da manhã até 10:00 da noite.