A fennel sausage and pepperoni pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, basil and mozzarella. Photo: Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle
Have VPN, will travel.
That’s the idea for Novato’s Boca Pizzeria, which is negotiating a lease for a second venue for the popular Verace Pizza Napoletana-style restaurant.
Boca co-owner Shah Bahreyni isn’t releasing the exact address yet, except to say that it’s “an AAA location” in Southern Marin, and at 4,100 square feet will be twice as large as the original eatery on Ignacio Blvd. west of the 101 Fwy.
Since opening in June, the café and wine bar has attracted an avid following for its wood-fired pizzas, and rustic plates like grilled whole baby octopus salad. Boca II would make the third restaurant for Bahreyni and chef-partner Sam Ramadan, who also own the high-end Boca Steak a block away from the Novato Boca.
Look for more confetti coming soon for the Ignacio store, by the way. Ramadan completed his Verace Pizza Napoletana training in plenty of time before his first pizzeria opened, yet the detailed process is a lengthy one. The restaurant itself is still awaiting its final inspection for official VPN certification, which will hopefully happen soon.
“According to VPN, we are adhering with all their requirements,” Bahreyni said, adding that as soon as the inspectors get time to pay their official visit, Boca will celebrate the final stamp of approval.
Boca Pizzeria: 454 Ignacio Blvd, Novato; (415) 883-2302 or bocapizzeria.com.
Boca Steak: 340 Ignacio Blvd.,?Novato; (415) 883-0901 or bocasteak.com.