17/03/2024: The pizzas were good, the service was very friendly and the atmosphere was nice.
Unfortunately the music was far too loud for our taste, so we deducted one star.
15/03/2024: “Neapolitan heat in a pizza”
Similarly to our international pizza tour, as soon as we return to the borders of our beloved homeland, we are immediately struck by this place just outside the historic center of Merano, in a tree-lined area away from traffic, with a design with references to the Neapolitan cabala, which for the kingdom of pizza and for Neapolitans it goes beyond superstition and towards a true philosophy of life.
After this very brief introduction we move on to the technical notation with the usual judgment parameters: Setting, processing, ingredients, service, prices (1-10).
Setting 7
Excellent location just close to the historic centre, close to numerous paid or road car parks.
Linear, modern place, with predominantly red and black colours, three rooms, one outside as you enter, semi-covered, one inside near the oven and open kitchen area and the other on the upper floor.
Overall, it combines South Tyrolean linearity and minimalism with the colors and symbolism of the Neapolitan tradition.
Process 7 ½
All the key points of an old-school Neapolitan dough, with good hydration, homogeneous alveolation on the cornice and rosette, quite elastic gluten mesh, bright colors and slightly hinted aromas, perhaps uncongenial cooking in some cases.
The various toppings undoubtedly show the effort to give something extra to stand out and characterize the product while never daring too much.
Even the fried foods, with "Neapolitan fried" and "Neapolitan pizzella" show a clear connotation of the true Neapolitan tradition without ever exceeding.
Ingredients 7
At the base a good selection of raw materials, obviously lacking in typicality of the territory of origin given the difficulty dictated by distances, but overall a good tomato and mozzarella in color and consistency, the oil is a bit anonymous and lacks flavor, good l ' addition of spices.
Service 7
Attentive, discreet and warm, something not at all to be taken for granted in Alto Adige, moreover in line with their slogan "The South in Tirol".
They leave the right time for the choice, ready to serve you both in the flow and consultancy phases, in the latter not without errors.
The essential mise en place: placemat and cutlery enclosed in a bag.
Prices 7½
For pizzas they range from the light "Napoletana" at €5.00, to the classic "Margherita" at €6.00 passing through the more expensive at €9.00 such as capricciosa, boscaiola, sfiziosa etc.
The fried foods are perhaps lacking in assortment (perhaps due to take away).
Overall rating: 7½
Choices: Neapolitan, Margherita Fried pizza (mistaken with calzone), Neapolitan mixed fried food, water, “hefe” beer.
Average spend >€40
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