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Pizza was excellent. I loved that I got one all to myself, separate from my very picky husband, and was able to add things like spinach, goat cheese, and portabello mushrooms to my Rustica pizza. Was a little high for pizza but considering the quality worth it.
Also, Root Beer was amazing!
The Bay Area is rife with "artisan pizza" places. Back in Oakland it got to the point that my wife and I actively avoided such places.
Living in Nob Hill here in The Duke City I've changed my mind. Or more specifically Il Vicino changed my mind. This place rocks.
I've loved every pizza and sandwich I've ever had here. The beer is great, the selection of pizza's is great, and best of all the toppings options are expansive. This is one of the few pizza places in Albuquerque that offers roasted garlic as a pizza topping (man I've missed garlic on my pizza).
I was put off by the stand, wait, order at the counter then being seated arrangement at first. I'd had so many bad experiences at "cafeteria style" restaraunts before with people grabbing tables ahead of me even though they were physically behind me in line leaving me table-less after ordering that I assumed this place would be even worse as it's small. However this was all an unfounded concern as they police the seating very effectively, only allowing parties who have ordered to sit.
The service is also remarkably gracious. While yes the servers didn't take your order, and yes you've already likely tipped when ordering/paying at the counter before being seated, they really do act like they are your "real" waiters and are happy to get you whatever you need.
It's a great place to eat before going to an independent film at The Guild just a few doors up, or for lunch on a Saturday shopping trip to Nob Hill, or on a casual date.
When my s-i-l (sister-in-law) recommends a restaurant to try, I am so there. So when she suggested this place out on our recent visit to the quirky Nob Hill area of Albuquerque we immediately agreed with her choice.
Il Vicino is a small, hip restaurant located off of Central Avenue. Known as the original location, it's still a hoppin' place to eat and quench your thirst with one of their award winning micro-brews (which we did not try, boo-hoo).
We were greeted warmly and the hostess set up our table as we ordered at the bar. I gravitated toward the Mediterraneo Piadine, a folded flatbread sandwich stuffed with tuna, sun dried tomato mayo, capers, fresh oregano, parmesan, red onion and romaine. The blended flavors of the fresh oregano, capers and red onion complimented the tuna. All of this bliss folded into fresh, soft flatbread proved to be the best tuna sandwich I've had outside of the home.
All of us were very pleased with our choices and we shared bites (we are family so we weren't all weird about it) so we could experience outside our sandwich choice. My niece opted for the Vespa Piadine, roasted chicken with the sun dried tomato mayo with fontina, spinach, tomatoes and pesto. The bf and s-i-l opted for the Panino Casino, a panini stuffed with capocollo ham, turkey, romaine, tomatoes, provolone, red onion and dijon mustard. My brother had the lunch special which consisted of a house salad and choice of pizze. He chose the Angeli: sweet basalmic marinara with chicken, artichoke hearts, portabella mushrooms, mozzarella, gorgonzola and rosemary. I tried all but the pizze (you don't get between the bro and his plate, lesson learned early in life). While all proved delicious, the tuna was the "best of show".
The service in this fast paced restaurant is friendly, fast and attentive. The staff compliment and work well with each other making this a must visit place if ever visiting Albuquerque.
Who knew that you could find decent pizza in Albuquerque? Not me, that's for sure.
The bf and I were in town visiting his brother for a few days, and we finally tired out the New Mexican food options. Red or green can really only get you so far. This place was a good change of pace for us.
The pizza and beer made for the perfect lunch after a long morning of walking. Plus, after lunch, you could browse around the cute shops surrounding the area to walk off that cheese and beer. Two birds with one stone!
First of all, pizza and beer I think has a requisite minimum of 3 stars. This place did one better by providing good pizza and good beer with a nice environment.
My pizza was great, but the vegetarian lasagna left a bit to be desired - namely, the lasagna. When did lasagna become this ultimate choice between noodles with meat or no noodles with veggies? You're right, probably at Vatican II.
Now that I've convinced you to go with my 4 star rating, here are some notes. The service is a strange combination of cafeteria and table service, but it works once you figure it out. The prices are reasonable, and the beer - especially the root beer - is totally above par, which to say below par...it's good.
The portions, its worth mentioning, are perfect. Not family-restaurant size, nor snooty cafe size. We're talking baby bear size - just right. So tie on that little red cloak and score some pizza and beer!
Okay, maybe five stars isn't quite right. It might be possible to get a little more gourmet with the pizza. That said, the pizza is of the classic "one size" which is a big meal for one, and a perfect meal for two especially when augmented by some salads, etc.
I was pleased to see the selection of microbrews on tap, and the ability to get both a small, regular, and large size class of each. The large is great for a lengthy meal. The small is great when you gotta hop in your car and drive away after a quick bite.
I was a little disappointed by the lack of whacky vegetarian options. If you are an omnivore, this need not worry you. If you are veggie, you can mix and match ideas -- or, better yet, ask the person when you order what they recommend. I did, and got a pesto pizza with added red sauce. QUALITY.
A note about the 'hood. This is the "funky" (as in stylishly alternative) nob hill area. Quirky shops with things like vintage clothes, smoking accessories, and some of the "historic route 66" color. And a few gourmet places that show the gentrification that appears inevitable. Not a bad thing, really. One of the best progressive hoods in the city.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Il Vicino yet! It's in my top 3 favorite places to eat ever! I don't think I can ever get sick of it!
They use the freshest ingredients possible, and their crust is among the best in the world, it's thin yet fluffy.The service is super friendly and ridiculously fast. You order at the counter, and your salads usually arrive at your table immediately after you do. Speaking of salad, their Insalata Spinaci is amazing... spinach, red peppers, red onions, pine nuts, gorgonzola... oh sooo good. Your pizze will be out shortly after your salad is gone. The pizze I suggest is a little simple, Pizze Margherita with goat cheese instead of mozzarella, roasted chicken and caramelized onions.
They brew their own beer here in Albuquerque, and it's all pretty damn good, especially their brown ale, if they have it.
Oh yeah, when you sit down, you will notice an unmarked bottle of an orangeish oily liquid, this is their chili oil, it is amazing on everything!
Well, now I am hungry, I think I am going to go get me some right now...
Great pizza and salad, cold micro brews. Doesn't get much better.
After not eating at Il Vicino for more than 5 years, the wife and I stopped by for lunch last weekend. It's nice to see that Il Vicino has still got it. I entered the restaurant in a crappy mood and not really interested in eating there. I left happy, fulfilled, and glad we stopped by. We both enjoyed a couple of salads and shared a pizza. Although we didn't grab a beer this time around, I'm sure their in-house brewed beers are still as tasty as ever.
when in town, this is the place that i go to when i want to have a nice lunch and a glass of vine, i like the santa fe location as well. the food is consistently pleasing, i love their calzones and pizza. cute date spot or a good place to take friends out to.
Il Vecino is a more than serviceable Italian eatery. Counter ordering and table deliver, they have a wide range of wood fired pizzas-for-one. The salads also make a fine compliment to the pizzas if you're particularly hungry. Atmosphere is contemporary and you can see the wood fire oven from anywhere in the restaurant. Small but fine selection of beer and wine. Also Pellegrino sodas. This is a great option for a romantic Italian dinner, or just a nice place for a regular weeknight dinner for two (or 4). There's also a location in the NW Heights that Yelp doesn't list.
One of my favorite places to eat! I go there every time I'm in Albuquerque. The pizza is fantastic, and they're always willing to cater to my picky needs, and do so in a friendly manner. The salads are also good - and perhaps one day I'll branch into other foods besides their pizza ;)
Crust is important
Not too crunchy not too thick
Lane is my hero
(I can't believe this place doesn't have more reviews. It's fast, fresh, and fabulous. Their salads are quite good also. I recommend ordering a brew and a pizza, then heading next door to the Guild cinema to catch a movie... now THAT'S a good night!)
I love Il Vicino. I'll never say "no" if someone ever asks me, "Do you want to go to Il Vicino?" Their gourmet personal pizzas are large enough to share, but not so large as to feel gluttonous for having eaten the whole thing. And they are outstanding.
I had a calzone once, too, and it was as good as I was expecting it to be, more or less.
They have lasagna, salads, and painini sandwiches, too, but almost unfailingly when I go there, I'll order a pizza because I'm simply stuck on them. And their beers. Il Vicino brews up some tasty beers, which you can order in three sizes. They even have a wonderful root beer.
The ambiance is laid back, but stylish, and I'm talking about the room and the vibe, and not that I ever need to change before heading there.
There are multiple locations throughout the city, and one in Colorado Springs, and one in Denver.
Highly recommended.
Yummy, yummy get that card stamped 10 times and its on the house. Love the spinach salad with out the dressing, I add the oil to it, that stuff is so delicious, I add it to pizza too. They will make your food to your standards, I am picky about what I eat, I have transformed those salads into my creations and they have never had attitude about it either. The service is great. It gets a lil busy around lunch time so take a little longer than an hour, if you get there around 1145 your golden.
This place is consistently delicious! Their pizza is thin crust, great sauce and wonderful mozzarella cooked in a wood oven so it is nice and crispy. The toppings are great, great salads nice an big and great beer! Great place to bring friends and family.
Was there last night, pizza, salad & service were great, but there were lots of dirty tables and the floor looked like it had not been swept all day.
The pizza was quite tasty and I agree with the pizza being thinner, which was nice. They had the spicy olive oil instead of the crushed read peppers! I really enjoyed this when I was in Europe recently and have been looking for a restaurant that offers it. Our order was simple and we were during the lunch rush so I didn't find it fast but it tasted good enough to be worth the wait.
Unfortunately with the crowd at lunch it was hard for anyone running tables to come by aside from when they were delivering food or drinks(which took a while). This is the reason for four instead of five stars.
Albuquerque, NM
Category: Irish
Albuquerque, NM
Category: Pizza
Places I love in New Mexico, old and new! If you…
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