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Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria To Open “Next Door” At The End Of The Month

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

The GOODS from Nicli Antica Pizzeria

Vancouver, BC | Vancouver’s top pizzeria, Nicli Antica Pizzeria, is set to open some new doors towards the end of this month. Next Door is the name of Nicli’s new room opening right ‘next door’ to the pizzeria. It occupies the space that formerly housed Vicino.

Chef Dave Tozer is in the final stages of the menu development, but will concentrate on a mixture of Italian-inspired snacks and small plates. The concept is share plates – similar to Spanish tapas (called ‘cicchetti’), hand-crafted, modern classic cocktails with an Italian-focused wine list to complement Nicli’s award-winning list. This is social dining at its Italian best. Picture sharing braised pork belly with a white bean cassoulet, a plate of arancini, a steaming bowl of chorizo and mussels in white wine, a medley of bruschetta or mini fried pizzette accompanied by a rich Nebbiolo, Super Tuscan or glass of prosecco. Chef Tozer is also producing his own house-made ricotta, salumi and a selection of fresh pasta dishes – just a few dishes to tempt your taste buds and imagination. As at Nicli, Next Door’s menu will change to reflect seasonality of ingredients.

“Next Door is making the wait for Neapolitan pizza at Nicli that much more enjoyable. We want Next Door to become part of the Nicli experience – you can start with a drink and an appy at Next Door, then go next door to Nicli for pizza. We see Next Door as a place where you can come by for a pre-dinner drink and snack before doing a Gastown hop, or, if you are looking for a night out, order a few more plates and make an evening of it here,” says Nicli and Next Door General Manager Anthony Sterne. “Vancouverites have really taken to share-plate dining and it’s a concept that is very Italian. In Italy, they eat dinner much later than in North America. Evenings generally start by meeting friends for an aperitivo and light snacks followed by a full dinner later and ends with more wine and conversation with more friends. It’s a very social way of life. By opening Next Door, we are hoping to replicate that ‘dolce vita’ feeling.”

Next Door’s beverage list skews to sophisticated cocktails such as a barrel-aged Boulvardier and Next Door’s Negroni, an all-Italian wine list and local craft beers. “We want Next Door to become the neighbourhood gathering place – a casual place where you can drop in for a cocktail, stay for dinner, or meet friends late at night.”

The old Vicino room is undergoing a make-over. One wall features the heritage building’s original warm brick and the opposite wall is a complex dimensional mosaic in reclaimed fir butt ends. Anchoring the room is a reclaimed wood bar – the top produced from reclaimed fir with a fresh-cut edge, the facia from rustic walnut and the kick from weathered fir. Wood finds its way into some of the feature table tops. “Wood gives the room a warm feel, perfect on dull, damp days or for a cozy evening drink.” Next Door will seat about 40 people – bar seating, room for larger groups, and most importantly, smaller tables for you and your friends.

Currently it is anticipated that Next Door will be open from 5 p.m. to late Wednesday through Saturday only. Watch Nicli’s web site for more news as the menu, beverage line-up and opening date is confirmed in the coming weeks. With its warm ambiance, lively vibe, not to mention tasty dishes, it’s easy to see that the place Next Door to Nicli could become habit-forming.

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

Proprietor: Bill McCaig
General Manager: Anthony Sterne
Chef: David Tozer
Wine Director: Melanie Gravel
Bar Manager: Lachlan Henningsen

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