Pizza lovers in Rome are preparing their taste buds for what many consider the best pizza in Naples. Often described by experts as “the sacred temple of pizza”, Da Michele owes its enduring success since 1870 to the use of natural ingredients and an ancient, time-honored method of leavening pizza dough.
Yes, pizzeria Da Michele – located in Naples just off Corso Umberto in the Forcella neighborhood – will open its doors in Rome tomorrow, Thursday November 24th!
Housed within the Explora Children’s Museum, the pizzeria will seat 150. Like the historic Naples location, the Rome based pizzeria will serve two traditional pizzas, the Margherita (with a double mozzarella topping option) and Marinara. In addition, pizza Napoli studded with anchovies from Cetara appears on the menu. We can’t wait to also try the calzone filled with pork cracklings, ricotta and salami and the pizza fritta – fried pizza dough folded over and filled with seasonal veggies and cheese. How does Nero casertano sausage and sauteed friarielli (broccoli rabe) sound? Pies are baked in a Valeriani wood-stoked oven and employ the same Mulino Caputo flour used in the Naples pizzeria. Fior di latte cheese, Vesuvius tomatoes and a blend of natural olive oils will do the rest.
Prices will be obviously higher than in Naples: Pizza Margherita and Marinara go for Euro 7,50; Napoli Euro 8; double mozzarella topping raises the price to Euro 9.
According to Marco Condurro, fifth generation at the helm of the Napoli franchise, pizzas with more lavish seasonal toppings should not cost more than Euro 13. University students of the architecture department nearby will benefit from a special agreement with reduced prices. We’re curious to check out the wine list and regional craft beer offer.
Da Michele in Rome will be open daily 11AM to midnight. No reservations, but guaranteed short queues to be seated.
If like many of us you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving on the weekend to accommodate Italian friends, we suggest you go check out what promises to be the best pizza in Rome tomorrow. The n.3 tram stops a few feet away, Metro A Flaminio is half a block away, cars can park in the Explora Museum parking lot.
Definitely something to be thankful for.
L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
Via Flaminia 80 – 82
00196 Rome
Tel. +39 06 32600432