Restaurants

Okay, River District, You’ve Got Our Attention: Bufala Slated to Open March 1

Gooseneck Hospitality just announced another new River District resto.

By Stacey McLachlan /

Hot on the heels of last week’s announcement of a new Lucky Taco in the River District comes the news that Bufala is almost ready to open, too.

Not to repeat ourselves, but this is wonderful news for the brave souls who have taken the leap to move to the fledgling South Vancouver ‘hood. The planned community has long accommodated residents’ basic needs, with grocery stores and pharmacies and the like, but with this influx of cool new restaurants, River District folks are now accessing another essential service: pizza.

Photo: Jonathan Norton

Bufala was the 2016 gold medal winner of Vanmag’s Best Pizza award, and has become a beloved delicious-night-out option with its existing locations in Edgemont and Kerrisdale. The new River District location aims to offer the same scratch-made Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta alongside small plates and a mighty wine list, but you’ll find a few exclusive menu additions here: a roast chicken dish with chestnut and truffle sausage, for instance, and Quattro Fromaggi arancini.

Photo: Gooseneck Hospitality
Photo: Gooseneck Hospitality
Photo: Gooseneck Hospitality

Bufala exec chef Kevin Atkinson is still calling the shots for the brand, but River District will be in good hands with head chef Eddie Munoz (formerly of Nightingale, Autostrada and Bacaro). GM Lisa Cook will cultivate the wine list and run the front of house, bringing her experience from Carlino, Savio Volpe and La Tana to the table.

The 3,000-square-foot space is designed by Ste. Marie Studio (as is the new Lucky Taco River District) and will feature marble and green galore. The centrepiece of the space will be a custom lighting display from Anony, hanging dramatically above the central bar. Bufala River District will seat 80, with another 45 patio seats coming in the spring… just in time for us to plan a gluttonous River District patio crawl.

Photo: Gooseneck Hospitality
Photo: Gooseneck Hospitality

The new Bufala opens March 1, though you might be able to sneak in for some soft open days beforehand. You’ve earned a little early slice, River District. Go get it.

Bufala River District
3489 Sawmill Cresc.
bufala.ca