<><>This past May, my husband Reilly and I stopped in Naples, Italy for lunch at the Pizzeria Lombardi (check it out on Trip Advisor and read my review). We were on our way back from the Island of Capri to the apartment we were renting for the week in Rome and we were tired and hungry so we each had our own pizza - the Lombardi (always order the dish/pizza named for the restaurant). Now Naples is the birth place of pizza and has a reputation for being great pizza - but having high opinions of pizza we weren't expecting it to be that good - but after one bite my heart and stomach melted and I have it say it's probably the best pizza I have ever had.
After returning to Seattle we ran across an article in the Seattle Times about 4 Seattle pizzerias that are certified by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association of Naples meaning they're the real deal. The certification is based on their Marinara and Margherita style pizzas and the pizza dough which is cooked in a wood fire pizza (for full regulations check out the association's site). The article was the incentive for us to try out each one and see if anything came close to our delicious experience in Naples - here are my reviews:
Tutta Bella - Westlake 2200 Westlake Avenue, Seattle We have already been to Tuttal Bella's a couple times prior to reading the article about it being certified. While yummy their Margherita style pizza never wowed me like the pizza in Naples and I feel their crust gets a little too soggy.
Pizzeria Pulcinella 10003 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle We went to Pulcinella first after we read the article. I was quickly disappointed in the toppings as they didn't use any fresh tomatoes just sauce and it just didn't have any spark but the crust was excellent. My husband and dinner mates had the Sorrento (tomato, mozzarella, prosciutto, mushrooms, kalamata olives, capers, and basil) which I thought was quite good - but too salty for my friend. Ristorante Picolino's 6415 32nd Ave NW, Seattle We actually had a couple of slices of Picolino's at the Ballard Farmer's Market last Sunday. The crust was good - thinner than Pulcinella but not soggy like Tutta Bella. I had a mushroom pizza fresh out of their portable wood fire oven that had a generous portion of mushrooms and good flavor. Since we didn't try the Margherita I can't really compare it to what I had in Naples but my husband and I both agreed it was just okay. Via Tribunali - Capital Hill 913 E Pike Street, Seattle Purposely saving the best for last - Via Tribunali actually has 5 locations - we went up to the original Capital Hill location. When we arrived there was a 30 to 45 minute wait for a table so we squeezed into a spot at the bar and had the full menu and immediate service - can't beat that. They have a Margherita D.O.C. (certificate of origin) on their menu that has tomato, buffalo milk mozzarella and basil - but I ordered the pizza named for the establishment the "Via Tribunali" which is the same but also with cherry tomato, ricotta and smoked provola. OMG it was wonderful and just about the same as what I had experienced at Pizzeria Lombardi down to the smokiness of the oil and cheese. We will be back soon. I recommend any of these pizza places and of course don't pass up the chance to stop in Naples for pizza. Naples itself is very different from Rome, Capri, Florence or Venice which are very tourist oriented. While have the reputation of being dirty - Naples is really the people's city of Italy where they seem to live and work and for the few hours we were there it was actually refreshing (and not that dirty)!
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