Circa Restaurant Group has announced its newest project, Il Forno Pizzeria.

The restaurant -- slated to open later this year -- will be located in The Pointe at Barclay, a new development at Independence Boulevard and South 17th Street.
 
The new restaurant will occupy 3,000 square feet of space in one of two buildings in front of the Gallery 14 Cinema, the anchor of the mixed-use development.
 
Hill Rogers, broker in charge at Cameron Management, represented The Pointe at Barclay in the lease. The Pointe at Barclay is a joint venture between Cameron Management and Charlotte-based firm Collett.
 
Circa Restaurant Group, owned by Ash Aziz, also operates Circa 1922, Osteria Cicchetti, Brasserie du Soleil and Boca Bay.
 
Aziz describes Il Forno as an upscale casual dining experience specializing in authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Customers will be able to personalize their selections from a list of locally fresh ingredients and Italian specialty items, and the pizzas will baked in an authentic, wood-fired brick oven.
 
“Il Forno will be a neighborhood eatery using the finest fresh ingredients carefully made to order,” Aziz said.
 
The menu will also include antipasto, salads, some pasta dishes and gelato.
 
A marble-topped bar will feature Italian and American wine varietals served by the glass as well as a large selection of craft beers on tap. The bar will also offer a view of the pizza making.
 
“I think Ash Aziz is very good at identifying concepts that will work in Wilmington and then executing his plan with precision,” Hill Rodgers said. “I think the price points will be reasonable, the service will be quick enough to satisfy the moviegoers, and the atmosphere will be awesome.”
 
Il Forno Pizzeria will operate seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and a November opening is expected.
 
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