Brandi's in Napoli: A Review

Robert writes:

"I've just returned from Italy after a month of glorious gastronomical indulgence.

 Our first evening there, in Napoli, we had pizza at Brandi's, a Margherita of course.

When the beautiful pies were brought to our table, my wife and I toasted you, "Salute, Albert."

We then each devoured our own pie; what an experience. There is nothing even close to a true Neapolitan pizza. Since hooking up with you I've only eaten pizzas from wood fired ovens and as good as they are they do not compare to Brandi's.

Even other pizzas in other parts of Italy did not come close. Some people said it was the water, others say it's the wheat but whatever it is, Brandi's is a pizza every true believer should have before passing on to the big pizzeria in the sky.

 Pizza on earth.
ciao,"

Thanks for your review, Robert,

Here is a video about Pizzeria Brandi:





From the Pizzeria Brandi Website:

The Ancient Pizzeria Brandi

In 1780 the pizzeria Pietro...e basta così (which means "Peter ...and That's Enough"- funny name, isn't it?) was established in Salita S. Anna di Palazzo, in the surroundings of the Royal Palace. This name derived from one of the first owners, Pietro Colicchio, known as Pietro il pizzaiuolo (Peter the Pizzamaker). Pietro Colicchio, having no brothers nor sons, handed over the pizzeria to Enrico Brandi, who in his turn transferred the activity to his daughter Maria Giovanna Brandi, the future wife of Raffaele Esposito.

But the nickname of Pietro Colicchio, Pietro il pizzaiuolo, survived and all the subsequent managers of the pizzeria were always called "Pietro" by everybody.

It happened also with Raffaele Esposito, the husband of Maria Giovanna Brandi, who, in June 1889, during a visit in Naples of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita di Savoia, was invited, via an official of the Royal Household, to the Royal Palace of Capodimonte.

And so Raffaele Esposito and his wife Maria Giovanna Brandi went to Capodimonte, on board of their donkey-drawn gig.

Raffaele Esposito prepared for the Royals three qualities of pizza: the first, "white", with olive oil, cheese and basil; the second with cecenielle (kind of newly born sardines); and finally, a pizza with mozzarella and tomato.

The Queen Margherita appreciated especially this last kind of pizza and Raffaele Esposito didn't fail to pay his homage to the Queen and gave that pizza her name: that's the way the most famous pizza, the Pizza Margherita, was born in June 1889.

Here are some resources about Italian Pizza:





And if you are looking for Italian Sauce...