The Margherita. Yes it really is as big as it looks.
What can you tell us about Da Michele?
It's regarded by some as being one of the best pizzerias in the world, so it comes to London with a fair bit of fanfare above it. And we hear it played a key role in the Julia Roberts movie Eat, Pray, Love (although we haven't seen the film ourselves. Better concentrate on the former point...
So how has the menu changed from the Naples original?
In a word, it hasn't. The same pizza options remain the focus - a margherita at £7.90 (with double mozzarella option for £9) or the cheese free marinara at £6.90 (with "maxi" option at £7.90).
However, under the surface, there are some small adjustments. For one, the British climate is - to put it mildly - ever-so-slightly-different to the southern Italian original setting, so the team have spent time adjusting the original dough formula to account for this. The original chefs have been over in the UK making sure that, ultimately, you'll be getting as close to the original pizzas as possible. They just can't promise the sun.
We had the very first pizza out of the oven on their pre-opening night (eager - us?) and they already had things down perfectly. So yes, the pizza is very, very good.
And it's a no-reservations spot, yes?
Yes, indeed. And given the press the opening has received, expect this to be a mite busy at evenings and weekends - at least for the opening period. That said, there's more seating upstairs, so even if it does look busy, it's worth popping your head in.
The Marinara
And will they deliver too?
Not immediately, but as things settle down there's a good chance of this later on. In the meantime, they will do takeaway - so Stoke Newington locals should be feeling very smug at this point.
How about drink?
Beer is all about Moretti, either draught or in various bottles. And the wine list is, understandably, exclusively Italian. It's a small list, three wines and reds, starting at £20.95 (or Prosecco for £24.95).
And dessert?
They've an ever changing small selection of desserts that will be making their way over from another Italian favourite, Sal de Riso. You can check the board for the latest.
Overall?
Naples' top pizzeria has finally opened in London and it's pretty damned good. Stoke Newington locals are VERY lucky, and if you consider yourself a fan of pizzas, then a trip up here is a must.
L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele is at 125 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0UH. For more, follow them on Twitter @damichelelondon.
Hot Dinners were invited to the launch of L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, prices were correct at the time of writing.
