This Boise-based chain had 6 restaurants. The last just closed, replaced by new concept
The life cycle of a well-known regional restaurant brand has reached its conclusion.
Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria, a Boise staple for nearly two decades, ceased to exist this week. The final location — at 6700 N. Linder Road in Meridian, near Chinden Boulevard — closed at the end of the evening Tuesday.
After a lightning-fast transformation, the space will reopen Friday as a new full-service dining concept: Nick’s Italian Ristorante.
Nick’s is owned by Idaho-based Torro Restaurant Group, which operates Barbacoa, Coa de Jima and Ti Amo Italian Ristorante in Boise, plus Coa del Mar in Eagle.
Nick’s will offer a more casual atmosphere than Torro’s three “Coa” concepts, continuing to serve a few popular items from the Flatbread era.
New ownership, concepts
Launched at Bown Crossing in 2018, Flatbread multiplied to six locations by 2016: four in the Boise area and two more in Salt Lake City and Bend, Oregon.
But last December, Boise restaurateur Nikolai Castoro’s Torro Restaurant Group purchased the only two surviving Flatbreads.
The original restaurant — opened as Flatbread Community Oven at 3139 S. Bown Way in Boise — was reinvented as Ti Amo Italian Ristorante in July.
Next up: Giving the last Flatbread standing, in Meridian, its own fresh identity.
“Nick’s,” Castoro said, is a nod to his first name and that of his longtime friend and business partner, Nicholas Terrafranca.
Despite Flatbread’s own significant name recognition in the Boise area, Castoro said he feels the concept “has kind of run its life.”
“They were super awesome,” he said. “I’ve always eaten there for the last 18 years — and really good food. (But) it’s not in line with our brand, first of all. We’re not pizza restaurants. We’re a lot more than that, and that’s what we’re trying to bring to these locations and to the staff here ... just creating a little bit more opportunity for people.”
Family-friendly dining
Nick’s will be somewhat similar to Ti Amo in philosophy, Castoro said. “This is our ... family-dining Italian restaurant,” he said.
But reflecting the larger kitchen size, the menu will be about twice as long. Options will range from pasta dishes and veal scallopini to seafood, steak — and, yes, familiar-looking pizzas.
Nick’s pies will be made using Flatbread recipes, Castoro said, “because everyone loves them.”
Nick’s also will serve several appetizers from the Flatbread menu, including Baked Goat Cheese with Fire Roasted Tomatoes — “which was everyone’s favorite appetizer,” Castoro said with a chuckle.
Nick’s Italian will be open for dinner from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and for brunch, lunch and dinner from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Lunch hours will be added on weekdays starting next summer, Castoro said.
A website with the menu is slated to go live Friday at eatnicksitalian.com.
