Grainsley’s Kitchen

Pizza You Will Not Want To Stop Eating

By Jennifer Coates

If there are two things in the world that Danny Holleran loves, its pizza and family (and not necessarily in that order)! In fact, he can’t imagine what life would be like without either of them ~ they are a winning combination that have now been given a new place to shine at Holleran’s year-old restaurant Grainsley’s Kitchen + Drinks in Warwick.

Named after his two nieces Grayson (aged 5) and Ainsley (age 18 months), Grainsley’s Kitchen + Drinks features “pub style pizza” that you have to taste to believe. Not satisfied with the kind of ho-hum pizza found in most pizzerias, Holleran set out to recreate his own hybrid version of his two favorite styles of pizza, Neapolitan and New York-Style. His quest for this “perfect” pizza led him to the prestigious New York School of Pizza in Staten Island, NY where he learned at the hand of masters how to make the crust and sauce that now set his pizza apart from the rest.

Holleran always knew that pizza would be part of his life story, and so, after twenty years in the restaurant business, when an opportunity to own and operate his own restaurant arose, he leapt at the chance. On March 18th of 2020, just days before the state shut down, Holleran was handed the keys to what would become the realization of a lifelong dream. He would have a chance to share his signature version of pubstyle pizza ~ a basic style of pizza found throughout specialty shops in Massachusetts ~ and introduce Rhode Islanders to this refined process of making pizza.

It didn’t take long for Holleran to realize that he would need the help of his talented and generous family members to bring Grainsley’s Kitchen to life. With the physical labor of his brothers, the creative eye of his mother (hence the gorgeous, chic and yet homey décor) and the culinary expertise of his brother Justin (the restaurant’s chef), Grainsley’s Kitchen went from a dream to reality. Customers will now find a fullservice bar with a “single pour” concrete countertop, comfy banquettes, modern lighting, a breezy floorplan, an edgy aesthetic, and yet classic, timeless design. The showpiece of the restaurant is its open kitchen where hungry customers can watch Justin work his magic. It is a sensory experience to visit this new restaurant in the heart of Conimicut Village - the sights, sounds and aromas!

Today, customers can dine-in or take-out some of Grainsley’s signature pizzas whose crispy crusts and savory sauces are made right in plain sight. With Holleran’s guidance, Justin creates the crusts which mark the uniqueness of this pizzeria. The crusts are thin and crunchy and made on the premises from a dough that rises before it hits the oven. The pizzas are always ten inches round and are loaded with toppings of every imaginable combination. The red sauce is made fresh every day, simmered low and slow, just like it should be made for optimal flavor and just the way Holleran was taught at “Pizza School!”

Justin and Danny are creative and adventurous with their pizzas and sauces. Check out some of their specialty pies: the Angry Hawaiian ~ sweet pineapple, salty bacon and jalapenos drizzled with a spicy habanero sauce; the Balboa ~ mortadella, capicola, genoa salami, lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, red onions, and pickles served with oil and

Meet brothers Danny Holleran (l.), the owner of Grainsley’s Kitchen & Bar, with brother and chef Justin Holleran, seen here holding two of their specialty, pub-style pizzas.

Try this crowd-pleasing Angry Hawaiian pizza, perfect for a tropical kind of pizza vibe.

balsamic vinegar: and the classic Meatlovers ~ meatballs, sausage, pepperoni and everybody’s favorite, lots of bacon. There are even more options, many of which are concocted by Justin just for that day! Of course if you are a traditionalist, you can always “build-your-own” from a huge selection of fresh veggies and meats. This pub-style pizza is as close to what you can find anywhere on the streets of Manhattan’s iconic, pizza-loving West Village.

Not to be outdone by the delicious pizza are the other mouth-watering items on the menu here at Grainsley’s. The lightly hand-breaded mozzarella triangles are to-diefor, the sandwiches, wraps, fresh salads, golden fries, and finger-licking good chicken wings simply cannot be beat. (PS: There are also FRIED OREOS for dessert!)

The food is by far the best reason to visit Grainsley’s. Everything is made from scratch, on-site, fresh and never frozen. Bring your friends. Bring your family. Bring your neighbor. Make a beeline to this fresh culinary destination in Warwick.

Fans of Grainsley’s pizza who don’t live close to Warwick can find them in the frozen food section of Dave’s Marketplace. They are showcased here as part of “Dish Up RI” which features the work of local restaurants and chefs.

Grainsley’s Kitchen + Drinks is located at 745 West Shore Road. Open Wednesday to Friday, 3:00pm to 9:00pm, Saturday, noon to 9:00pm and Sunday, noon to 7:00pm. Check out their full menu at www.grainsleys. com or call at 401-737-4992 to place your order. You can also order online. Treat yourself today.