L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele opens in the Big Apple

It is official, one of Italy's most acclaimed and historic pizzerias has arrived in New York City. 

Da Michele, 153 years of tradition

If you love pizza, you have heard of Naples' L'antica Pizzeria da Michele. A Naples institution, it was founded in 1870. It is one of the most historic pizzerias in Italy. Today you can also taste their famous pizza on the East Coast. The pizzeria is located at 2 Bank Street in New York City's West Village. It is their second US location. L'antica Pizzeria da Michele has sister restaurants in Hollywood and another in Santa Barbara in California.

Eat, Pray, Love

"I'm having a relationship with this pizza," Julia Roberts says in that famous scene from "Eat Pray Love." She was in L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele! The restaurant was initially featured in Elizabeth Gilbert's bestseller Eat Pray Love and then made its Hollywood appearance in the movie adaptation starring Roberts.

From Naples to New York

Don't expect the classic Italian pizzeria, spartan and rustic. L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele has pruned in New York for a more contemporary style. The owner is Francesco Zimone; he was inspired by his childhood summers in his hometown of Naples. "Tables are roomy to accommodate the 16-inch Neapolitan-style pies with their typically flavorful thin crusts and puffy, char-tattooed edge – says The New York Times - Here, they're also made with imported Italian ingredients like flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella. (Mr. Zimone's partner and head pizzaolo, Michele Rubini, is a fifth-generation member of the original pizzeria family.) In addition to pizza, there are antipasti, including gnocco fritto and montanarine made with fried pizza dough; salads; sandwiches (with a burger to come); a few pastas; and main courses".

Authentic Neapolitan pizza

"The restaurant's authentic Neapolitan pizza is made using the same centuries-old recipe, techniques, and Italian imported ingredients at its origin restaurant in Naples, established in 1870 - we read on the website damicheleusa.com - Head Pizzaiolo Michele Rubini helms the famed pizzeria, that also serves many Italian and Mediterranean specialties. Guests who visit L' Antica Pizzeria da Michele are welcomed into beautiful "courtyards," which serve as central gathering points for they can view pizzas being prepared in the restaurant's imported stone oven." 

#CUOREDINAPOLI

It is known that the best pairing in the world is pizza and beer. Pizza offers customers-among other drinks- #CUOREDINAPOLI beer, literally the heart of Naples. This American Pale Ale is brewed in Naples by Kbirr, a small independent craft brewery. It is produced with an artisanal method, unfiltered and unpasteurized in the Campania region. This unique beer is made to support the students of the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples and the #CUOREDINAPOLI project.