Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Eating Pizza in Naples


Foodies of the world love their pizza. Almost all of them. If you are touring Italy, then you must eat the pizza here. After all, Italy is the birth place of pizza or pizzeria. Sure enough, you can have your pizza almost anywhere in the country. But there’s one place in Italy where it comes special. Go south of Rome, to Naples, because, they say that the pizzeria was first thought of, cooked, gulped down, and raved here, before word began to spread.


But here’s a word of caution for you. If you are thinking of trying pizza in Naples, then you should know that it is way different than what they serve you at the American eateries that you find in your city. Italian pizzeria is essentially simple and basic – the way it was meant to be. The menu choices are limited. You are going to love it though, if you are looking for an authentic experience. Go for it. Try authentic pizza in Naples, Italy, the city where it was discovered. You will carry the memory.

What You Should Order

The purest pizzeria in Naples is the Marinara. It is simple and straight. The only toppings are olive oil, oregano, garlic and tomatoes. You could also try Margherita, which is a classic. It comes with fresh green basil, white mozzarella cheese and red tomatoes. Siciliana contains eggplant and mozzarella. Diavola comes with spicy salami. Or you can go for Salsiccia e Friarielli. There is broccolilike vegetable and sausage here.

Pizzeria Standardizations in Naples

The Neapolitan Pizza Chefs Association has standardized the methods and ingredients that can be used. It is known as DOC or “Denominazione D’origine Controllata”. Some also refer to it as STG or “Specialità Tradizionale Garantita”. According to this, only San Marzano tomatoes that are grown locally can be used. There should be a cheese bubbling around the edges. Only Fior Di Latte cheese or Buffalo-milk Mozzarella can be used. The right durum wheat must be used for making the dough.


Where Can You Find the Best Pizzeria in Naples?

Here are some of the best places where you can have your pizzeria.

  • Da Michele on Via Sersale
  • Il Pizzaiolo del Presidente on Via Tribunali
  • Brandi on Salita S.Anna di Palazzo
  • Di Matteo on Via dei Tribunali
  • Pizzeria Trianon da Ciro on Via P. Colletta
  • Sorbillo on via Tribunali
  • Da Ettore on Via S. Lucia
  • Lombardi on via Foria
  • Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba
  • La Notizia on Via Caravaggio

Just remember one thing. If you are a big time pizza lover, then you should always try Naples in September. Because that’s when, every year, there is the annual Pizza festival. It is really a wonderful time of the year to visit this part of the world. The summer crowd is almost gone. The weather is still great. And do try the south coast from Naples. Visit Ravello, Positano, Capri and Pompeii. See stunning ceramic at Vietri. Head out to Paestum – you can see Greek temples that are 3000 years old here.

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