Pizza Cones
Novel Arlington pizza restaurant gets right to the point
A new chain with a pointy twist on pizza is opening at the Parks at Arlington Mall. Forget the pie, forget the slice: Kono Pizza serves you cones. And by that we mean a unique cone-shaped crust filled with ingredients that's ideal for portable dining.
Kono Pizza was created in 2004 by Italian chef Rossano Boscolo as a novel street food in Milan. The cones are baked, filled with toppings, and finished in a convection oven. Since launching, Boscolo's idea of mobile Italian pizza has spread to more than 20 countries, including the United States, where it debuted in New Jersey in 2013.
A representative from the mall confirmed that Kono would be opening in June, near the Forever 21 store.
Kono serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert cones. Sweet options include tiramisu, Nutella with nuts and bananas, Nutella with strawberries, and a cone with berries and cream. There are deli-style sandwich cones, including one with prosciutto and mozzarella, and a Greek option with tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
Breakfast cones come with egg combos such as ham and cheese, sausage and cheese, or peppers and cheese. Best-sellers are the Margherita and chicken Parmesan cones. Prices run from $4-$6.
One of Kono's selling points is its slightly healthier profile, thanks to a thinner crust and low-moisture cheese. Kono's cones are 250-280 calories each, compared to 450 calories for a traditional pizza slice. There are also several low-calorie cones on the menu.
The original concept in Europe is a full-service restaurant, but the American model emphasizes an on-the-go experience, with kiosks such as the one at the Parks at Arlington Mall. A Kono spokesman said that more branches would be announced for the Dallas-Fort Worth area this summer.
As unique as Kono may sound, there's a similar concept called Epic Cones that first opened in Deep Ellum in 2012, before decamping for southwest Arlington in 2013.
