Pizzeria Starita A Materdei
Arancini – Rice, Pepper, Eggs, Breadcrumbs, Mozzarella, Smoked Provola, Cooked Ham, Parsley / Fiori di Zucca Imbottiti – Squash Blossom, Ricotta, Pepper, Breadcrumbs
Pizza Vesuvio – Red Piennolo Tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala, Basil
Pizza Porchetta Ariccia – Smoked Provola, Porchetta di Ariccia, Basil
Located steps from Materdei station in Napoli since 1901 Starita has served everyone from the Pope to Sophia Loren, and although New York’s “Don Antonio by Starita“ makes a good Pizza the use of native Ingredients helps set the original apart.
Made famous by the 1954 film L’oro di Napoli, and still owned by Antonio Starita in partnership with son Giuseppe, it was without the usual hour-plus queue that Starita was found on a brisk January evening, staff beginning to welcome guests at 19h00 with the lengthy space mostly full within thirty minutes.
Decorated in stone archways and red tablecloths, old photos plus the iconic fork and ladle hanging on the wall, guests are invited to choose from over sixty Pies offered alongside Fritti and Dolci, the Montanara highly celebrated but on this night omitted in favor of a particularly creamy Rice Ball and Starita’s delicate stuffed-Squash Blossom.
Steeped in history, no hyper-hydration or exaggerated cornicione, Starita’s Pizza takes on a more traditional appearance with crisp edge and moist center, a Margherita made with Tomatoes from Mount Vesuvius showcasing sweetness and acidity contrasted by puddles of Cheese and the oven’s char.
Utilizing three rooms in addition to the foyer containing Starita’s oven, and filling the first before seating the second, it was with volume high that Pizza number two was tasted, a thick layer of smoked Cheese helping to mellow unctuous Roman Pork with distinctive notes of Pepper and Rosemary.
www.pizzeriestarita.it