When Superba Snack Bar opened in Venice in July 2012, it set out to create a fresh take on a classic pastaria.
As its two-year anniversary quickly approaches, the eatery is still serving up delicious house made cured meats, locally sourced greens and vegetables, and hand made pasta.
Superba Snack Bar is the first venture of American Gonzo Food Corporation, under the leadership of veteran restaurateur Paul Hibler, who is the creator and visionary of Pitfire Artisan Pizza.
For this venture, Hibler teamed up with acclaimed chef Jason Neroni, formerly of Osteria La Buca.
Located on Rose Avenue in Venice, the eatery reflects Hibler’s goal of creating unique contemporary restaurants offering exceptional cuisine and distinctive design, executed through a collaborative model.
“Superba Snack Bar is a neighborhood gathering place, featuring a slightly elevated spin on a pastaria and small seasonal plates/snacks,” Hibler said.
As Executive Chef, Neroni has been at the restaurant since it opened in July 2012.
He has cooked in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens – Chez Panisse, Spago, Alain Ducasse, El Bulli – but has never lost his connection with approachable, everyday Italian cooking, which he brilliantly displayed while helming the kitchen at the venerable Osteria La Buca.
At Superba Snack Bar, his prized Rosito Bisani pasta extruder enables the innovative chef to smoke and infuse freshly made pastas with a wide variety of vibrant flavors.
Neroni said his inspiration for the menu was “Chez Panisse meets Lupa” (Chez Panisse is a neighborhood bistro in Berkeley while Lupa is a casual Italian restaurant in New York).
“There is a small part of the menu that remains constant and the rest changes daily,” Neroni said.
He said some of the most popular items were the Cauliflower T Bone, Smoked Bucatini, and Fried Chicken.
Neroni said the amount of kindness dispersed daily by his “incredibly kind tribe” made the restaurant unique.
“The quote from R. Crumb on the top of the Superba Snack Bar building states, ‘she is both beautiful and terrifying at once, like nature itself.’ This quote is Crumb’s take on women and to me, it sounds like Venice,” he said.
Designed by Los Angeles-based Design, Bitches, Superba Snack Bar’s airy space is complete with an open kitchen, bar seating, and tables filling the room and patio.
Highlights from the dinner menu include the Porchetta di testa Pastrami, Smoked Bucatini Carbonara, Farro Salad, Butternut Squash Custard, Jerusalem Artichoke Ravioli, and Spaghetti Cacio Pepe.
Complementing Neroni’s menus are a selection of local and international wine labels, beers, and cocktails.
Superba Snack Bar is located at 533 Rose Avenue, Venice. It is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 6 pm to 10:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm, and Sundays from 5:30 pm to 10 pm.
Lunch is served Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30 am to 2:45 pm while brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 2:45 pm. For reservations or more information, call 310.399.6400 or visit www.superbasnackbar.com.
