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GOODS: Gastown’s “Nicli Antica Pizzeria” Set To Celebrate Margherita Month In June

Nicli Antica Pizzeria is located at 62 East Cordova in Vancouver, BC | 604-669-6985 | www.nicli-antica-pizzeria.ca
Nicli Antica Pizzeria is located at 62 East Cordova in Vancouver, BC | 604-669-6985 | www.nicli-antica-pizzeria.ca

The GOODS from Nicli Antica Pizzeria

Vancouver, BC | June 1889 is a significant month in the history of Italian cuisine. That’s when a humble Neapolitan tavern owner named Raffaele Esposito won the praise of Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy, by serving her a local peasant specialty – a flatbread, which he designed in the colours of the Italian flag in honour of her visit to Naples. To create the red, green and white of the flag, he topped the flatbread with simple, local ingredients: tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves. It was the first time cheese had been melted on the traditional flatbread, and he named the new dish after the Queen. Legend has it that she was so delighted by it that she insisted that a wood-fired ‘flat-bread oven’ be installed in the palace. Thus was born the first Pizza Margherita which would set the standard for all future pizzas for generations to come.

In the intervening century and a half, pizza has spread around the globe – with versions and variations as diverse as the people who make it. There is, however, still one universal standard for pizza excellence based on that very first Margherita pizza. That standard was created, and is maintained, by the AVPN (Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana) in Naples, Italy. In 2009, the European Union protected Neapolitan pizza with its designation as a Specialty Guaranteed Dish. Nicli Antica Pizzeria is the first pizzeria in Vancouver, and amongst the first in Canada, to receive the official AVPN designation. To celebrate June’s significant place in food history, Nicli and AVPN North American President, Peppe Miele, are declaring June Official Margherita Month.

From May 28 – June 30, Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria will be producing and/or hosting a number of fun events and special promotions bound to appeal to pizza lovers – Pizza with Peppe, Margherita Lunch, La Stella Wine Dinner, Dine Like an Italian, Margherita Cocktail and PINQ Presents a Royal Affair. Full details on all these and more can be found on Nicli’s website. Get all the details after the jump…

May 28 – Pizza with Peppe: for one this evening only, from 6 p.m. to closing, drop by Nicli for a pizza and meet Peppe Miele, AVPN North America President. Mr. Miele is coming to Vancouver specifically for this event. He is the owner of Antica Pizzeria in Marina Del Rey and the first person to have a pizzeria outside of Italy certified by the AVPN back in 1997. Regular menu is in effect.

June 25 – La Stella Wine Dinner: four different pizzas paired with four different wines from the South Okanagan’s award-winning La Stella Winery. The evening ends with a special dessert to complement Moscato d’Osoyoos. Price $60 per person,includes taxes and gratuity. Special winery guest TBA. tickets and details available on Eventbrite.

All month – Margherita Lunch: Nicli is offering a special three-course lunch at $40 for two people. Ten percent of the proceeds from each lunch will go to support the Strathcona Community Centre. Menu – Insalata (choice of Green or Arugula & Fennel), Margherita Pizza and Dolci (Panna Cotta with Blackberry Lavender Compote).

All month – Dine Like an Italian: How do you tell a tourist in Italy? They’re the people having dinner before 9 p.m. In Italy dinner, like lunch, is a leisurely affair. First you take a stroll (the passeggiata), then, sometime between 9 and 10 p.m. you sit down to supper. From June 1 – 30, any Sunday to Thursday evening from 9 p.m. to closing, Nicli will give you a 50 percent discount on your order of Margherita pizza. Not only do you dine in the manner of the sophisticated Italians, but you also save on your bill. If you arrive a little early, you can always stroll through historic Gastown to work up an appetite, or sit down at the bar and start the evening with an aperitivo (see below).

All month – Margherita Cocktail, Her Royal Majesty: a delicious concoction of Campari, star anise, simple syrup and fresh grapefruit juice topped with prosecco. Specially priced at $12.

Date TBA – PINQ Presents a Royal Affair: a benefit evening for Friends for Life starring Vancouver’s reigning queen – Joan E. Get your glam on at this bejeweled evening of Margherita pizza, cocktails and good fun. Date and ticket details to be confirmed soon, watch for them on PINQ and Friends for Life.

Join us this June as Nicli celebrates the tasteful art of the Neapolitan pizzaiolo.

Details

62 East Cordova, Vancouver, BC | V6A 1K2
Telephone: 604-669-6985
Web: www.nicli-antica-pizzeria.ca
Twitter | Facebook

Gallery

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The People

Bill McCaig | Proprietor
David Tozer |Chef
Brianna Weins | Assistant Manager
William Johnson | Lead Bartender

About Nicli Antica Pizzeria

Finally open and properly filling the void in Vancouver’s pizza scene is Nicli Antica Pizzeria. Immediately considered the best pizza in Vancouver by many, owner Bill McCaig’s goal is to transport you to Italy in one bite.

Reviews & Accolades

Scout Magazine | Vancouver Sun | Globe & Mail | Metro