Nicky's Coal Fired
Italian restaurant · Tomorrow's Hope ·
Imaginative pizzas, housemade pastas, Italian craft cocktails
Imaginative pizzas, housemade pastas, Italian craft cocktails
"Chef and co-owner Tony Galzin has made pizza the centerpiece of Nicky’s menu, getting the pies just right with the help of “Enrico,” a four-ton coal-fired oven. The industrial-chic counter-service spot in the Nations offers a thoughtful selection of red- and white-sauced pies, like the Keenan & Kale featuring roasted Yukon golds, fontina, and kale." - Ellen Fort
"If you’re looking for a classic coal-fired crust wrapped up in a place your kids and your playgroup’s kids will love, Nicky’s is it. This sit-down restaurant in The Nations is known equally for its family friendliness, its tender and juicy meatballs, and its cornmeal bottomed pizza. The Aces High has crushed meatballs and roasted onions, and it’s always a good choice. Never skip a slice of NY-style cannoli cheesecake for dessert." - ann walczak
"Nicky’s Coal Fired is our nomination for the best SCRPRTCUWFF in The Nations. What’s a SCRPRTCUWFF, you might ask? It’s a Super Cute Reasonably Priced Restaurant To Catch Up With A Few Friends, and Nicky’s checks every box. The pizzas and pastas are consistently excellent and hover around the $20-25 mark, the space isn’t too big—but is always lively enough—and the food is never boring. Get a plate of cavatelli bolognese, a Hey Paisano pizza with capicola and spicy honey, and an order of meatballs for good measure." - ann walczak, team infatuation
"An Italian restaurant from Tony and Caroline Galzin offering high-quality pasta and pizzas cooked in a coal-burning oven, noted as a dinner destination in the Nations." - Missy Frederick
"At Nicky’s Coal Fired, kids under 12 eat for free on Monday nights. That detail should be enough of a reason for parents to bring the whole family. But if you need more convincing, the food is actually really great, too. While the pepperoni might be a little too spicy for younger kids, the Lil Pizzas with cheese or sausage are milder options that you wouldn’t mind eating when there’s still one slice left. Grown-ups should go for the St. Pasquale, loaded with pepperoni, that’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy thanks to shaved garlic and chili flake. The sleeper hit on the menu, however, is their rosemary-sesame focaccia. This loaf is light and bouncy, and comes with a sorghum butter that’ll have you immediately drafting a Thank You card for the kitchen." - adam sloan
