Remember the scene in Eat, Pray, Love where Julia Roberts exclaimed that she was “having a relationship with her pizza”? Well, now us Mancs can too, because that very pizzeria – which was born in Naples in 1870 – has opened a brand new restaurant in Manchester, and we’re basically hyperventilating at the news.
I mean, sure, L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele has hot competition with Rudy’s – who also ranked in the top ten of Big7’s frequently-cited list – but given its credentials, we can say with certainty that seriously good pizza is in store.
Confirming the exciting news on social media earlier in the year, Barker Proudlove – retail property consultants with significant expertise in the North – announced that the pizzeria would be taking over a former Zizzi site on King Street, in a post that read: “THE BEST PIZZA IN THE WORLD is coming to Manchester!!!
“Great Friday news – Barker Proudlove are proud to have completed a deal with @pizzeriadamichele to bring their world famous pizza to Manchester, in their new home at 53 King Street!
“Don’t just take our word for it! Global travel platform Big 7 rated these guys as the very best, ahead of our Mancunian favourites Rudy’s!”
The pizzeria, which has become renowned for its authentic, fuss-free Neapolitan pizzas, now has sites all over Italy, as well as in London, Barcelona, Berlin and Tokyo.
The restaurant specialises in just two pizzas – the classic Margherita, and a simple marinara. The two options represent the simplistic approach which is the most popular way to serve pizza in its homeland, Italy, with some Italians actually considering it sacrilege to add any extras to an already perfectly good bit of fodder. While that is true for Italy, the UK arm of the restaurant offers a little more variation, with a lengthier pizza menu offering toppings such as salami, truffle and fresh mussels, pasta and other Italian treats.
The grand menu has taken months to get ready – a testament to its splendour – and you can now see it for yourself at 53 King Street, M2 4LQ.