EDGEWATER — The former Apart pizzeria has re-opened on Thorndale with a new name, menu, style and outlook.
Now known as The VeRanda on Thorndale, the restaurant and café is in some ways a reincarnation of owner Bianca Ganvik's old business Apart, like in its focus on the "art" of pizza. But it's also served as a fresh start for Ganvik, who's been working to make VeRanda a reality for nearly five years.
The "opportunity and chance to really make something happen on Thorndale" has not been without its "ups and downs," she said, but with the help of the community and friends, "it's going to be amazing."
In its new form, VeRanda is slinging coffees and pastries, hand-tossed pizzas, breads, salads and wraps from the former T's Paisan's storefront at 1100 W. Thorndale Ave. The space has been transformed into a hip, relaxed lounge and diner that showcases vintage furniture, local artwork and a spacious patio just two blocks from the lake.
Vintage furniture provided by Midwest Vintage Supply will rotate throughout the year and is also available for sale, as is the artwork, which is currently the creation of VeRanda chef Oscar Javier O'Hara. He has already sold three pieces in the shop, the owner said.
Customers can choose from a variety of specialty and vegetarian pizzas or can build their own pie with dozens of toppings like arugula, roasted red peppers, shrimp, bacon, egg, fresh basil and more.
On the lighter side, diners can also opt for salads that range from health-conscious (like the Arugula Caprese, with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, baby arugula and basil) to others featuring bacon as its star ingredient (like the BLT-reminiscent bacon salad).
VeRanda's menu also offers up chicken Parmesan, meatball and Caprese sandwiches, and any salad can be made into a wrap.
Many dishes are vegan-friendly and can be substituted with vegan Daiya cheese, and 10-inch personal pizzas can also be made with gluten-free crust.
In the future, Ganvik said she'd like to add special entreé nights and even a milkshake menu and more pastries, in addition to the daily sandwich and lunch pizza specials she offers now.
Kids and students at neighboring Swift Elementary School can take advantage of a $4 special that includes a mini-pizza.
On Friday, 10 percent of the restaurant's proceeds will also go to Swift.
Though the menu features dishes that could be made at home, Ganvik said, it's the "art of food" coupled with a cozy, living-room-like dining space that she hopes encourages residents to have a reason to leave the house and eat at her restaurant instead.
"Even if we make a grilled cheese, we want it be the best frickin' grilled cheese on the planet," she said.
All of the details of the store have been chosen to highlight the community and help Chicagoans stay passionate about their city, Ganvik said. She couldn't have done it without the support of loyal customers and close friends who have helped her make her dream a reality, she added.
"We're hoping to do something good here," the owner said. "It's been so welcoming. We just want to make a little difference on the corner."
During the summer, the restaurant will be open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., with the kitchen running between 11 a.m.-10 or 10:30 p.m. Meals are also available by delivery and carry-out, and VeRanda caters for events.
Photos by DNAinfo/Linze Rice
