Roman-style pizza is finding a permanent home in Del Ray.
Stracci Pizza submitted a special use permit (SUP) to run a restaurant out of the former Nectar Coffee & Wine Bistro at 106 Hume Avenue.
Owners Thomas and Annalisa Cardarelli expect the restaurant to open this summer. The pair moved to Rosemont four years ago when he was hired as the executive chef at Vermilion in Old Town.
They opened Stracci as a food truck on Feb. 1, and are now asking that customers pre-order on their website since they frequently sell out. The truck is currently parked outside 106 Hume Avenue and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“It will be open for dinner in the evenings and we’re hoping to start seating with outside as we’re still coming out of COVID,” Annalisa Cardarelli told ALXnow.
The Cardarelli’s are not looking to renovate the building, which, when it was Nectar, had 40 indoor seats and 18 outdoor seats.
The menu includes rectangular pizzas with “high-hydration dough that is naturally fermented at cold temperatures for 72 hours,” according to the Stracci Pizza website. “The long fermentation process combined with special dough handling and baking ‘alla pala’ (directly on the hearth) result in a crust that is crisp, light and airy.”
The SUP was filed on April 1, and public comments are open until April 29.
Long-fermented Roman-style pizzas, daily breads with natural levain, freshly pulled stracciatella cheese and seasonal, creative apps—all designed for takeout. Coming soon curbside in Alexandria, VA. pic.twitter.com/tsJHDyhl0f
— Stracci Pizza (@straccipizza) January 18, 2021
Recent Stories

If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.