Imagine dining in an intimate Italian villa. The atmosphere established by history, art, the lighting, the aromas of authentic pizza, and the taste of wine. That's goal of the new Soprano's Antico hoping for an opening in mid to late February at 2348 California Ave. SW in the space formerly occupied by Zatz a Better Bagel.

One of the partners in the new restaurant is Plamen Stoyanov, who previously owned Amante Pizza across the street. "I want people to feel like they are in Italy," he said.
To make that happen Stoyanov gave Artist/Designer/Builder Mike Larson a free hand to create a unique and appealing space with unique artwork (look for the faces hiding in the wall murals).

Stoyanov, incidentally has a fascinating history, having competed in the Tour De France bike race against Lance Armstrong and he remains an avid bike rider today.

Soprano's Antico will be a full-service Italian restaurant featuring pizza (baked in three in house ovens) in both classic and "Napolatana" styles. They will deliver “Classic” pizza but the Pizza Napolatana , served only in house, must be made with imported San Marzano tomatoes, Double 00 Caputo flour and Buffalo mozzarella Campana cheese. In fact Stoyanov has studied with and been certified by Tony Gemignani 12 time world pizza champion. The pasta and salads, sandwiches, calzones and more will also be made in house. Here's a sampling of what will be on the menu:

Pizza Napolatana (12", 15", 18" and gluten free crust available)
Cal-Italia, Sopressata Picante, Prosciutto e Pomodorini, Artichoke Chicken, Greek Special, BBQ Chicken, Vegetarian Special, Drunken Goat, Pizza Al Proscuitto.

Salads (you can add chicken or shrimp)
Dinner salad, Caesar Salad, Cobb Salad, Antipasto Salad, Spinach Salad, Salmon Salad, Caprese Salad

Calzones
The House, Capone, Meat, or Create your own.

Hot Grinders
All Meat, Italian Meatball, Chicken Parmesan Sub.

Pasta
Spaghetti, Wait a Minute Spaghetti, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Salmon Fettucine, Penne Pollo e Broccoli, Cheese Tortellini, Puttanesca, Canneloni, Gnocchi Gorgonzola.

Fish and Chips, and low or No carb offerings will be available too.

The space has been completely transformed by Larson who also designed and built the revamped Pegasus Pizza on Alki. Among the changes are extensive and highly detailed wall murals, water features, ceiling and floor tile work, marble floors, and an authentic feature oven, reaching temperatures approaching 900 degrees producing crispy, sizzling pizzas in 90 seconds. They produce more than 1000 pizzas a week.

Antico will offer seating for roughly 45 people with tables, seating at the wine bar and near the pizza oven, and tables throughout.

There won't be cocktails but beer and wine will be served and sold to go.
The restaurant will employ between 10 and 15 people.

The goal according to Larson is to create an anchor restaurant, offering a high quality dining experience, good enough to attract people from outside the area but also serve as regular dinner spot for the neighborhood.

Winter hours will be 10am to 10pm and Friday Saturday open till 11pm. Summer hours will be 10 to 11 seven days a week.

Deliveries can be requested via phone at 206-596-3999 or online (the site is still being developed).

There are now 22 outlets for pizza on the West Seattle peninsula. Not to mention frozen varieties from every food store. Stoyanov said confidently , "I'm not scared of the competition. If your product is not good you're gone. Competition makes everyone better."

You can see more of Mike Larson's work on his site at http://www.mikelarsonartistry.com or contact him at mikelarsonartistry@gmail.com or by phone at 916- 856-2435.