Authentic Neapolitan Pizza at Tutta Bella

How do you like your pizza?  Deep dish vs. flat?  Thin crust vs. thick?  Heavily sauced with lots of ingredients vs. minimalist?  Many pizza enthusiasts swear that the definitive choice is an authentic Neapolitan pizza pie.

If your pizza leanings are for the authentic, give Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria a try.

Tutta Bella was the first restaurant in the Pacific Northwest, and the tenth in the United States, to receive a VPN certification as a true Neapolitan pizzeria.  VPN (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana) is an organization that evaluates and certifies restaurants that meet the very high standards required for genuine Neapolitan Pizza.  The organization is certified by the Italian government and is charged with protecting promoting authentic Neapolitan pizza.  Since Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza, you can imagine how seriously they take this charge.

The requirements for VPN certification include very precise preparation methods.  This includes the use of specific ingredients in the dough and sauce.  In fact, the dough must be made according to a specific method, and after the dough has risen, it must be shaped by hand (NO rolling pin or other mechanical aids), and the pizza must be cooked in a specifically styled wood oven in a specified manner.

The VPN doesn’t stop there, though.  After all this prescribed preparation, the finished pizza must also meet certain standards.  It must be soft, enclosed in a high, soft edge of crust and have a very thin bit of crunch.  It’s not uncommon to see at least one flame-blackened blister on the rim.

Tutta Bella’s menu features authentic Neapolitan pizza, calzones, along with a selection of appetizers, salads, and desserts.  Beer, wine, and cocktails are available, with a heavy emphasis on Italian choices.  There is also a nice selection of grappa available.

I’m a fan of the Giovanni pizza (Extra virgin olive oil, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato halves, prosciutto di Parma, fresh arugula, shaved parmigiano reggiano, $12.50).  The classic Regina Magherita (Pomodoro San Marzano, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, $11) and the Ciro (Pomodoro San Marzano, prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, fresh basil, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, $12.50) are also excellent choices.  Add an Insalata Mista (Fresh field greens, sweet red onions, white beans, matchstick carrots, kalamata olives, house roasted red peppers, white balsamic vinaigrette, $11 large, $7 small) and you have a wonderfully delicious and healthy meal.

Although the pizzas are served with a knife and fork, try eating it “a libretto” like the Neapolitans – folded like a book.  You can also pick up a pie to go.

The restaurant is friendly, and frequently as hectic as the streets of Naples.  These are busy, casual places, with family and friends getting together to eat, drink, talk, and enjoy.  It’s a very Italian concept translated into Seattle style.  All locations are family friendly, and it’s a popular spot for birthday parties.

Locations:  There are four Tutta Bella locations.

• Columbia City – 4918 Rainier Avenue South (map).
• Issaquah – 715 Northwest Gilman Boulevard, Issaquah (map).
• Stone Way – 4411 Stone Way North (map).
• Westlake – 2200 Westlake Avenue, Suite 112, South Lake Union (map).

Hours:  All restaurants are open Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 10 pm, and Friday & Saturday until 11 pm.

Prices:  Salads and appetizers are priced $4-13, with salads available in large and small sizes.  Calzones are are $11.50 and pizzas are priced $9-13, with additional add-on toppings available.  Desserts are priced $2.50-8.  Restaurants run a variety of specials and happy hour prices.

Photo credit: The Watters Family @flickr

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