Eat Pray Love

I doubt Elizabeth Gilbert predicted what an impact she would have on the culinary world of pizza when she wrote her book about “One Woman’s Search for Everything”. In fact, if it weren’t for her mid-life crisis-cum-soul-searching mission, I never would have experienced my first proper foodgasm, an event that actually blinded me for a few moments. Thanks to Ms Gilbert and her little book devoted entirely to herself, I discovered Italy’s best kept secret – the most delectable, divine, delicious pizza … ever.

Pizzeria da Michele.

Hidden on a cobbled street in the centre of Naples, this small, cramped and sweaty joint serves steaming plates of gooey, oozey, dripping, chewy goodness. As lunch approaches, dozens of Neapolitans form haphazard lines outside in the hope of tasting the heavenly dough, melting buffalo mozzarella and sweet, bubbling tomato sauce that makes Michele’s pizzas so special.

Inside, the menu is no frills. There are only two varieties to choose from – cheese or double cheese. To share one pizza between friends is just plain wrong. You can’t. The only sharing you are allowed to do is between pizzas. I’ll have a slice of your margherita, if you want a slice of my doppia mozzarella.

The crust is pillowy and hot, with just enough charred bits to make it a little smoky. The cheese drips down your wrist and the one sprig of basil placed in the centre adds a splash of colour. Before you know it, the plate is demolished and you’re slap bang in the middle of a food coma.

As Giovanni, Elizabeth Gilbert’s delightful Italian friend who told her about this secret haven said, “Order the margherita pizza with double mozzarella. If you do not eat this pizza when you are in Naples, please lie to me later and tell me that you did.”

Pizzeria da Michele

Via Cesare Sersale, 1
80139 Naples, Italy

While you’re there, try these pizzerias around the corner on Via Tribunali – Di Matteo, Vesi, Sorbillo and Bellini. They’re just as good, if not better.