Chef Josh Gale at Nicli’s Next Door in Gastown recently launched a $15 prix-fixe lunch menu that includes a green salad and a big plate of one of the following: pappardelle in pork ragu with kale; spaghetti with fennel sausage in cream; or either pasta in a vegetarian tomato basil sauce. We went straight for the spaghetti, and took it slow. The noodles are housemade; cut short, charmingly crooked, perfectly al dente. The sauce is buttery and silky smooth where it isn’t studded with gently spiced sausage, while the lot is salted and textured further by a generous blanket of Grana Padano parmesan cheese. The hugely satisfying lunch is available Tuesday to Friday, from 12pm to 2pm.
Nicli’s Next Door | 68 East Cordova St. | 604-669-6985 | www.niclisnextdoor.com