Magdalena's Trattoria and Pizzeria has opened at 5110 Buffalo Speedway near West University Place. The restaurant from chef Nicolas Nikic serves Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, hand-tossed pizza and grilled items, sourcing some ingredients straight from Italy. 

Nikic has roots in Europe, where he grew up and received hospitality training in Vienna. He spent the past 17 years as the general manager and sommelier for Houston's Da Marco and Dolce Vita restaurants. Now, he has pulled together executive chef Luis Silva, previously of Vic & Anthony’s and La Griglia, and pastry chef Maribel Zarate, to open Magdalena's.