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

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… Read more

Via Tevere Pizzeria Napoletana

DETAILS

1190 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L 4G5
Telephone: 604.336.1803
Web: www.viateverepizzeria.com | Twitter | Facebook
Owners: Domenic Morra & Frank Morra

GALLERY

About Via Tevere

It began in a small palazzo on Via Tevere—a street in the heart of Naples where our father and his four sisters were raised. Throughout childhood and to this day, we have spent countless summers on Via Tevere, where we quickly learned about the importance of food in the Neapolitan way of life. Of the utmost significance is the iconic pizza, which has become the symbol of Naples.

Pizza Napoletana is lauded for its rustic simplicity, its traditional wood-fire cooking method and its celebration of Neapolitan ingredients. Our goal is to honour our family heritage and the tradition of pizza-making by serving up la vera pizza Napoletana—the true Neapolitan pizza.

Via Tevere is a family business, opened by two Italian brothers, with Neapolitan roots, who grew up in East Vancouver. It has always been Dom and Frank’s passion to open a restaurant that pays homage to their favourite Neapolitan food. Their father grew up in Naples and the family still owns an apartment on Via Tevere where one aunt still lives and they still visit as often as possible. The majority of their dad’s other family (sisters, nieces and nephews) all still live in Naples.

Dom and Frank’s goal was to open a restaurant that was true to Neapolitan pizza. Frank went to California to study the art of Neapolitan pizza making and was certified under the Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN) association. They imported a high quality woodfire oven that was hand crafted in Naples that uses only hardwood (as per VPN standards). You can definitely taste the difference between a pizza cooked in a woodfire oven and that which was cooked in a gas fired copycat. It has a smoky flavour that adds depth to the pizza.

True Neapolitan pizzas are made with double zero flour, San Marzano tomatoes from the Campania region, and fior di latte (milky fresh mozzarella). In Naples (as well as according to VPN guidelines), basil is placed on top of the pizza prior to cooking. The dough must be hand stretched with no added mechanical support (no rolling pin or stretcher) and must be cooked in a woodfire oven.

True Neapolitan pizza will have minimal toppings for a balance of flavour, the originals being the Margherita and the Marinara. Our ingredients and toppings are typical of a classic Neapolitan pizzeria.

The pizzas will come to the table uncut to preserve the toppings and in keeping with VPN standards. Customers can choose to eat it any way they desire, but Neapolitans generally cut it into quarters and then fold the quarter in half, thus keeping all of the sauce and toppings within. The crust is expected to be slightly chewy and slightly soft in the centre.

VPN certification ensures and protects the authenticity and traditional cooking method of Neapolitan pizza. Certified pizzerias need to go through the application process in addition to an inspection process to ensure authenticity. This is done by ensuring the pizzeria has the proper equipment (dough mixer, Carrera Marble prep top, woodfire oven), as well as proper dough- making, stretching, topping and cooking techniques.

Most of the locals in the area already know about the history of the building, but Dom and Frank also wanted to capture this tradition, and the tradition of their family, within the restaurant as well. Their goal was to create a warm, rustic space that people felt comfortable sitting in and a place where it felt more like a family gathering than an upscale restaurant.

Accolades

Voted as one of top three pizzerias in the Westender Best of the city Dining 2012

Listed as one of Vancouver’s Best Cheap Eats in Vancouver Magazine

August 22, 2012 – Richard Wolak (Vanfoodster) considers the salsiccia and rapini pizza from Via Tevere to be one of the top 10 dishes to eat before the summer ends!

August 19, 2012 Miss Foodie came in and said that Via Tevere is “as close to the real deal Neapolitan experience as one could get here short of going to Naples“

August 16, 2012 – Amy of Greedy Guts says she will “ definitely be making a return trip to Via Tevere.“

August 13, 2012 – Grace of GraceCheung604 loves the “little pockets” of “charred goodness of the crust“

June 13, 2012 – Shinyandbright thinks the margherita con salame is a “winner of a pizza”

June 1, 2012 – Anya Levykh of EatMagazine says, “You can’t ask for more “vera” than this“

June 1, 2012 – Rebecca Philps considers Via Tevere one of “Vancouver’s Best Cheap Eats” for 2012 in Vancouver Magazine

May 20, 2012 – Raul of hummingbird604 considers Via Tevere “one of the best” pizzerias he has tried recently and says the pizza was “delightful and filling“

May 16, 2012 – Mia Stainsby, restaurant critic for the Vancouver Sun says, “Via Tevere pizzas are addictive“

May 4, 2012 – Alexandra Gill, restaurant critic for the Globe and Mail calls Via Tevere a “rustic pizzeria with warm shabby-chic décor” that “exudes old-world charm and mouth-watering aromas“

April 30, 2012 – Sherman of Sherman’s Food Adventures came by and said, “Via Tevere was well worth the wait not only for the pizza, but for the great service and vibe as well”.

April 5, 2012 – Vanfoodster thinks the crust “was perfect from the texture to the appearance, both on the bottom and top”

March 24, 2012 – Fmed of Wisemonkeysblog says Via Tevere pizzas are “true to the Neapolitan form”

GOODS: Burnaby’s “Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria” Has Joined The Growing Scout Community

We’ve invited Burnaby’s brand new, VPN-certified Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria to join our GOODS section as a recommended local restaurant. They’re now proud members of Scout, and as such we will be posting their news in addition to hosting a page for them on our awesome, curated list of independent goodnesses. We’d like to take this chance to thank them for their support of Scout, and for making BC a more delicious place to be.

ALL THE LOCAL “GOODS”

Neapolitan Pizza Wars About To Heat Up With The Coming Of “Famoso” To The Drive

by Andrew Morrison | Remember when Vancouver sucked so hard in the pizza department that we had to either go over to Prima Strada in Victoria for a solid, authentic pie or suffer service indifference and mediocrity at Marcello’s on Commercial Drive? That was what, three years ago? My oh my, how times have changed! Today, we have both Campagnolos, Farina, Verace, Novo, Barbarella, Red Card, Bibo, Nicli Antica, and Nook, and there are still three more on the way.

I’ve been sworn to secrecy on one (to be revealed soon) and reported on another - Via Tevere - but the third is Famoso, which already has multiple locations across Canada. The Alberta-based company is opening two restaurants in BC, one at 1380 Commercial Drive and the other in the former Dig This location in Victoria’s iconic Market Square. Both locations fascinate for their own reasons. Market Square, as any Victorian will tell you, suffers from a ridiculous turnover rate, and this particular spot is no exception. It’s also right across the street from a natural competitor, Il Terrazzo. Despite all the drama inherent in that, I find The Drive address more interesting, if only because it’s right next to Marcello’s, which – once upon a time with nearby Lombardo’s – defined the east side’s oft-ugly pizza wars.

Famoso, which will be cheaper than both with no pie more than $14.50, could be entering a world of Little Italy hate, but as a diner, I could give a shit. If it’s better than Marcello’s or Lombardo’s, that’s all that counts, and I can’t imagine such an achievement being all that difficult. And with Via Tevere opening just a couple of blocks away shortly, it’s just plain awesome to see The Drive reclaiming the pizza magnetism that was once so solidly theirs.

So what can we expect? 55 seats with an additional 25 seats on a patio looking straight at Marcello’s patio, so it’ll be like two naval ships having arranged themselves for daily broadside exchanges. The service, from what I gather, is a sort of hybrid of counter and table styles, meaning you figure out what you want, order at the front, and then retreat to your table to await delivery of everything. They’re fully licensed, so we’ll see plenty of beer, wine and spirits. They’ll have about 15 pizzas, with as many traditional classics as there are “New World” efforts.

And now for the big questions for the authenticity nerds among us… Read more

Smoke Break #884: Did The Explorer Marco Polo Really Steal Pizza From The Koreans?

Um…probably not.

DINER: Pourhouse Crew & Chef J.C. Poirier Open “Pizzeria Farina” At Main And Prior

Rarely do restaurants open on time, but Pizzeria Farina, as promised, opened its doors tonight at 915 Main Street (just off Prior next to The Cobalt). Since it’s just around the corner from our house we made a quick first pass to pick up some pies, which we made short work of in the park. Prices were very reasonable, and I don’t think we waited more than 15 minutes. It was cool seeing them immediately busy, a testament, no doubt, to the mean social media game they play. It’s way too soon to pass full judgment (first night and all), but I think their experimentation with crust paid off. I’ll be going a few more times before I give it a proper write up, either here or in the paper. Suffice it to say that I look forward to comparing it to others (eg. Campagnolo across the street) and attempting to place it in the burgeoning pantheon of Vancouver pizzerias. But there’s plenty of time for that. In any event, it sure is nice having another restaurant open in the hood. Keep ‘em coming!

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

GOODS: Gastown’s “Nicli Antica Pizzeria” Has Joined The Growing Scout Community

We’ve invited the new Nicli Antica Pizzeria on East Cordova to join our GOODS section as a recommended local restaurant that is well worth checking out. They’re now proud members of Scout, and as such we’ll be publishing their news front and center and hosting a page for them on our list of independent goodnesses. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support of Scout, and hope you’ll take this chance to get to know them a little better…

CHECK ALL THE GOODS

The First Nibbles Of Neapolitan Pizza At “Nicli Antica Pizzeria”

Walking through Gastown yesterday, I took another look inside the Nicli Antica Pizzeria construction site and found it effectively complete. The staff were training on the POS and they’d lit a fire in the oven. All seemed set, even the tables (complete with silverware, candles and linen napkins). “Come back later and we’ll make you a pizza” said the owner, Bill McCaig. I’d been looking forward to trying Nicli since we broke the news last April that they’d be bringing authentic Neapolitan pizza to Vancouver, so after picking up my kids from school we ran back down, thrilled to have the chance to be the first Vancouverites to give it a shot (my boys know pizza). I even took along a camera, as you can see from the video above and the shots below.

It was the best pizza I’d ever had in Vancouver, which was exactly what I was expecting it to be. To most pizza nuts, that’s not saying much, as it’s the first local pizzeria (to my knowledge) that has actually tried to mimic Naples’ finest contribution to society since the six string guitar. The thin crust was slightly springy, eminently foldable and blistering around the edges. The peeled plum tomato sauce glistened with olive oil and tasted true. The torn globs of mozzarella had lost their firmness and the basil was fresh and decoratively arranged. The hardwood that they’re using in the Acunto oven is birch, and the temperature is so high that all my pie needed was a 60-70 second blast treatment. When it came out it exhaled zephyrs of smoke.

In short, it was a perfect margherita. It’s definitely on par with those sold at Prima Strada in Victoria and Pizzeria Libretto in Toronto, and better than the pies I remember at Terroni. To put that in a more local perspective, it makes Marcello’s look like Dominos. Take a look at the video of my pizza being made and try not to eat your computer monitor…

They are doing a dry run for friends and family over the weekend and then easing into their opening next week.

EARLIER PHOTOS

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

Gastown’s Long Overdue “Nicli Antica Pizzeria” Looks Sharpish

These shots came my way this evening…

Bill McCaig

Bill McCaig

Bill McCaig

The delay is driving me crazy. They’re looking to open within a week or so from what I hear. Never heard of Nicli Antica Pizzeria? Short story: it’s worth knowing about. Long story: I encapsulated a couple weeks ago:

If you’re a pizza wonk like me and have been patiently drooling for months waiting for the opening of Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria (which aims to be the first certified Neapolitan pizzeria in BC), then you’ll have noticed that their latest target date for opening (mid-December) came and went without any pizza in your mouth. Sigh. The good news is that owner Bill McCaig has hired his key staff, finished the floors, installed the neon signage, had his electrical and plumbing inspected, made an appointment with Intertek to test his Acunto wood-burning oven so that it meets ULC standards and released his menu (read it after the jump). The bad news is that work continues at 62 East Cordova, and we won’t – if all goes according to this new plan – be able to sup at the 40 seater until January (originally, he had hoped for early last summer). Double sigh. Oh well. Patience, right?

Right.

Salivating Over The Coming of Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria

If you’re a pizza wonk like me and have been patiently drooling for months waiting for the opening of Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria (which aims to be the first certified Neapolitan pizzeria in BC), then you’ll have noticed that their latest target date for opening (mid-December) came and went without any pizza in your mouth. Sigh. The good news is that owner Bill McCaig has hired his key staff, finished the floors, installed the neon signage, had his electrical and plumbing inspected, made an appointment with Intertek to test his Acunto wood-burning oven so that it meets ULC standards and released his menu (read it after the jump). The bad news is that work continues at 62 East Cordova, and we won’t – if all goes according to this new plan – be able to sup at the 40 seater until January (originally, he had hoped for early last summer). Double sigh. Oh well. Patience, right? Read more

Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria Hopeful For December Opening

I spoke with Bill McCaig (of the hotly anticipated Nicli Antica Pizzeria) this morning and learned that his pizzeria – which aims to bring the first certified Neapolitan-style pizza to Vancouver – is once again delayed (ouch – originally slated for a July opening). He says work has continued apace and that the imported, wood-burning Acunto oven is installed and will be fired up for the first time in the next week. He’s also hired a front of house manager, an Italian-Montrealer named Gino Didomenico, so it’s gotta be getting close! “Mid-December, I hope” he says. Check out some new photos after the jump… Read more

Smoke Break #762: Making Pizza Every Day For Half A Century…

Via Laughing Squid:

Hailed as the “godfather of Brooklyn pizza,” for forty five years Domenico DeMarco, Italian émigré and father of seven, has been slinging pizzas in his legendary corner shop, Di Fara. Employing five of his children, Dom works tirelessly from morning until night hand crafting each and every pizza himself while his kids take orders and manage the mob of devoted pizza aficionados. The Best This I Ever Done is a portrait of DeMarco and his beloved pizzeria, an exploration of his rise to fame and an ode to pizzaioli who take their time to ‘make it right.’

Phew! Gastown’s “Nicli Antica Pizzeria” Not Dead, Just Delayed

July has come and gone and local pizza aficionados have been cornering me plenty, wondering whatever became of the hotly anticipated Nicli Antica Pizzeria, the authentic Neapolitan-style pizzeria that was supposed to open last month at 62 East Cordova.

Fret not, amici. It’s been delayed is all. I spoke with owner Bill McCaig yesterday for a story I’m writing for next week’s paper, and he explained that they ran into some trouble with their engineering plans, which halted construction and set the rumour mill grinding. The new plans were submitted to the City some six weeks ago, and they’re hoping to get a green light to resume work this week. Let’s hope they do.

Best case scenario: the forty seat pizzeria – which is gunning for Vera Pizza Napoletana certification (a first for BC!) – will open in October.

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

Next Page »