Neapolitan Pizza

Pizza is an Italian culinary invention that began in the Southern city of Naples. In fact, the pizza is viewed with special affection by Neapolitans as their culinary treasure, a reflection of their popular history.

Begun as a staple for the poor, pizza was sold by street vendors to those who had no hearths in which to bake.

The first bonafide pizzeria is probably Pizzeria Brandi (originally Pizzeria Pietro) which opened in 1780. Another early pizzeria opened in 1830 near Port'Alba where workmen, students, and artisans gathered, some of whom even composed verses in honor of the pizza. Pizzerias advertised the pizza as the "yeast of life" and the "talisman of happiness."

The then Queen of Italy and Savoia, Margherita (originally of Austria), wife of Umberto I, elevated the pizza from its humble origins when the owner of the Pizzeria Brandi, Raffaele Esposito, made three different pizzas for the Queen. She liked the one dressed with tomato, mozzarella, and basil the most, and thus the "Pizza Margherita" pizza took her name.

Antica Pizzeria is proud to be the first restaurant in the United States to bear the seal of approval of the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association.

Only those pizzerias which respect all the culinary traditions of the Neapolitan pizza are authorized to use the Verace Pizza™ seal of approval. Verace Pizza™ is an international non-profit organization dedicated to popularizing the Neapolitan pizza. Antica Pizzeria founder and owner Giuseppe (Peppe) Miele is the President for the North American Division of the association called "VPN Americas. "

See also: Pizza Menu & Gallery of Pizzas

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