San Marzano, Merrick, closed during expansion

If the scent of wood smoke is missing from downtown Merrick, that may be because San Marzano, known for its wood-oven pizzas and calzones, has temporarily closed for a renovation and expansion after taking over the adjacent space.

When it reopens, said manager Alison Schmitt, it will have more tables as well a bar area for eating, drinking and waiting for a table or takeout order.

The menu, too, is expanding to more closely resemble the one at the sibling San Marzano on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Which means the addition of appetizers, pastas and panini.

Schmitt said the restaurant should reopen within the next couple of weeks, but, she added, “you never know with construction.”