L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, one of the most famous pizzerias in the world with a pedigree dating back to at least 1870, has opened its first location on the East Coast—in New York City’s West Village, to be precise.
The original pizzeria, a tiny shop located on Via Cesare Sersale in Naples, offers just two pizzas: the Marinara and the Margherita. But the company’s American locations—including one in Hollywood and one in Santa Barbara, California—expanded the menu with Americans’ tendency toward conspicuous consumption in mind.
The Hollywood menu includes the Piece of the Pie (fior di latte, smoked provolone, oregano, basil, and sliced San Marzano tomatoes); the Arugula & Prosciutto (double fior di latte, pecorino, basil, arugula and prosciutto); and the Truffle (double fior di latte, pecorino, basil, shaved black truffles and truffle oil).
According to Food & Wine, the New York outpost will feature at least one popular pie from both the Hollywood and Santa Barbara locations: the Diavola, featuring tomatoes, fior di latte, pecorino, basil and spicy salami. It will also offer dishes like the fritto misto and fried zucchini flowers.
But Head Pizzaiolo Michele Rubini told Food & Wine that the Margherita is still tops in his book. “It’s the perfect balance of tomato and cheese,” he said. “It’s my favorite pizza, no question.”
According to L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele’s website, the U.S. locations follow the same centuries-old recipes and techniques as the original and import many of their ingredients from Italy. Owner Francesco Zimone designed each restaurant, drawing inspiration from his childhood in Naples but adding modern California elements.
“Having lived in Naples and eaten at the original Da Michele many times, I can confirm this pizza hits all the notes as the original,” Maria Yagoda wrote in Food & Wine, describing the Margherita. “The center is perfectly floppy, the perimeter perfectly puffed and chewy. The tomato sauce and cheese are ideally balanced and bursting with flavor.”