Nero Tondo — Restaurant in Vancouver

Believe the hype!! Having already been big fans of the Acorn we were very excited to see what Devon and Lucas were concocting at Nero Tondo.

After one meal we were completely sold and eager to go back. (We actually went a few weeks ago but finally getting around to posting this)

First of all, the vibe and atmosphere is tight, cozy, hip, and fun. We were seated at a table but next time plan to sit at the bar to be right in the action.

Service was impeccable with Alex (also an Acorn fixture) helping us through the various menus and options while Meg took care of all the local wines and perfectly crafted cocktails (her Negroni leans into the bitter profile in a way that perfects the very concept of a ‘Negroni’).

We ordered a total of four dishes + a dessert. Started off with the cast iron seared cabbage which was spectacular. The local crispy quinoa gave the dish a perfect crunch while the sauce was savory and sweet.

Next up was the Caesar inspired kohlrabi which was also amazing. Perfect blend of various textures and tastes.

Then we had the cavatelli and leek cacio e pepe which was the STAR dish of the night (yet we somehow forgot to take a photo of it). Please, go and order this dish. Good lord was this tasty. My wife and I agreed this was the best pasta dish we’ve ever tasted. The pasta on its own was perfectly cooked and seasoned, but the leek sauce was subtle and completely transformative.

Next up was tuna served two ways (both of which were delicious although maybe less remarkable than some of the other dishes), and finally a spectacular hazelnut sorbet for dessert.

Excited to have this as a new local option for a...

We picked Nero Tondo to celebrate our anniversary. Highlights of the visit Service: The servers knew what they were doing, professional but not friendly. Every question we had was answered properly and politely, just as it should be in a place of this type. Atmosphere: The restaurant has a rustic charm with a simple, inviting vibe. Food: We went with the à la carte menu. The food was good overall, reminiscent of the style at The Acorn. The standout dish for us was the Radicchio salad. Drinks: Strong just the way we like them.

Some downsides Carbonated water charge: The restaurant offered carbonated water (prepared with a SodaStream) but still charged for it. Personally, I find it odd to be charged for house-made carbonated water when it doesn’t come from a bottle. Food wait time: Since we chose the à la carte option, our dishes were prepared alongside those from the tasting menu. With only two chefs in the kitchen, the wait ended up being very long. It would have been helpful if the staff had informed us about this timing, perhaps we would've opted for the tasting menu to reduce the wait.

Conclusion It was a great experience overall and a lovely evening. I'd give the place a strong 4 out of 5. With a few tweaks, it has the potential to...

From top to bottom and front to back, the team and I had an exceptional meal and evening here. Walking in, you’ll be likely to get a smile and a nod from chefs Devon and Lucas before being led into an immediate and intimate space. The dining area is cozy and almost any seat will give you a vantage into Nero Tondo’s beating heart. Each of the 9 courses builds upon the last, starting with a foundational and warming squash gut welcome broth, moving through a well-curated display of fresh and ethically sourced regional varieties, and ending on a gelato with the lactose density of the Milky Way (in a good way). The whole time service was attentive, friendly, informed, and featured welcome cameos from Chefs Lucas and Devon as well. The allergies at the table were quickly noted and attended to (Penicillin notwithstanding). The wine list was pocket-sized but precise and our server Alex took us through the selection easily. Cocktails were fantastic, and the beer selection was comfortable. Get in there and get ready to be warmed and fed by the sometimes surprising selection chefs Devon and Lucas have forged at Nero Tondo! (Just watch the light switch...