A Manchester branch of the celebrated L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is apparently taking over the site formerly occupied by Zizzi on King Street.
Retail property consultants Barker Proudlove spilled the beans on a recent social media post which said “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!”
Michele Condurro, the famous master pizza maker, founded the original L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Naples in 1870, launching what was to become a long tradition of master pizza makers who were experts in the preparing and kneading and cooking pizza. Since then, five generations of L’Antica’s family pizza makers have faithfully carried on the tradition to Michele’s methods using only natural ingredients.
In 1930, the pizzeria moved to its present location on Via Cesare Sersale, which has become known as Naples’ ‘sacred temple of pizza’. Perhaps most famously, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele was mentioned in Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ which was turned into a movie starring Julia Roberts whose character loved L'Antica so much she proclaimed she was “having a relationship with her pizza.”
When the restaurant opened, they only offered two simple options – the classic Margherita (tomato sauce, basil, Agerola fior di latte cheese, pecorino Romano D.O.P. cheese) and the vegan Marinara (tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, seed soya oil.) Many Italians considering it sacrilege to add any extra toppings (they’d turn in their graves at even the thought of the ‘pineapple on pizza' debate.)
Now the famous Neapolitan pizzeria has sites all over Italy, as well as in Barcelona, Berlin and Tokyo. In London they have two venues, one restaurant in Baker Street Marylebone and another in Old Compton Street Soho and both have a constant queue of people outside.
Quite a few additions have found their way onto the menu these days including a comprehensive list of starters such as parmigiana, arrancino and fresh oysters. They also serve a range of dishes other than pizza including pasta, salads and even a wagyu beef steak.
But its pizza most people come to L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele for and besides the two originals, guests can now choose from a range of other pizzas including a spicy diavola, a folded over calzone or a pescatora with prawns, mussels and squid.
No opening date has been revealed but you can follow @pizzeriadamichele or see their website for updates.