Making Pizza Napoletana in Naples – A Dream Come True!

There are many food and wine tours to chose from when visiting Italy, especially in places like Naples where you can find cooking tours and lessons that vary from the highly skilled to the more traditional and fun pizza making adventure. I set out to find a cooking class that would not only appeal to me as an adult who loves cooking, but also to kids as well since my 10-year old son was coming along. I figured pizza making would be the best bet here. And what better place to learn how to make a pizza Napoletana than Naples?

After doing some research online, I settled on the Eat In Italy Food Tours team (http://www.eatinitalyfoodtours.com). I would not be disappointed.  The service is family-friendly and has great location, pricing and setup.  Making reservations online was easy. The general manager, Francesco, responded quickly to our e-mails and answered all of our questions promptly.  When we got to Naples, we took a taxi to the location for the start of our tour at Piazza Dante. We stopped by a pastry shop and tasted some of the traditional pastries, like babà, and my personal favorite, sfogliatella (a cream-filled croissant-like pastry shaped like a shell). I also had some outstanding espresso with our pastries, which got me ready and alert for our class. From there, we walked around the cobblestoned and narrow streets to Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria where we met Chef Alessandro Izzo and the staff for our pizza-making class. Chef Alessandro and Francesco (both speak English) walked us through the entire process of pizza making, including a tasting of ingredients (I was blown away by the taste of mozzarella fior di latte and their fresh ricotta cheese). The staff got along great with my 10-year old who ended up being a natural at pizza making. My son had a blast. I was very pleased with the class, picking up tips on how to improve my own pizza making at home and learning so much more about the ingredients and what happens behind the scenes at the restaurant’s kitchen.  Francesco and his team are professional, personable and provide exceptional service. By the time we left, I felt like we’d made two new friends! I The tour/class lasts about 3 hours (10:30am-1:30pm) and ends with you eating your own pizza creation while enjoying the view at Piazza San Domenico.

After you are done there, I highly suggest visiting the Museo Cappella Sansevero where you can see the famous sculpture The Veiled Christ (“Il Cristo Velato”) by Giuseppe Sanmartino. The museum is located a short walk from Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria. And don’t forget to try the local red wine, Lacryma Christi (“Tears of Christ”), made from native grape Piedirosso. The grapes are grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, which explains the mineral and soil elements of the palate. A fun and interesting wine, it paired perfectly with my Neaopolitan pizza!

Happy Travels!

Mariela

Milan, Italy – The Last Supper

The first thing I will tell you is that if you are planning a trip to Milan, make sure to plan ahead. You can see the mural painting, The Last Supper, by Leonardo Da Vinci at the Santa Maria delle Grazie church in Milan -but make sure to buy tickets well in advance (months in advance to be precise) as space is limited and tickets sell out quickly. Having said that, if you are not able to secure tickets ahead of time, you can try going to the site itself once you get there and ask if there are any last minute cancellations/availability. This is how I lucked out and obtained a ticket during my trip to Milan. One ticket. That is all they had.

I visited during the month of July and it was busy but not ridiculous. I had a ticket just for viewing The Last Supper and it included a brief tour, with the guide explaining the origins of the church and then walking the group (roughly about 20-30 people) inside a small, cool chapel where you could see The Last Supper on one end and on the opposite mural, the painting, Crucifixion, by Giovanni Donato. It must be noted that you are not allowed to take pictures/photographs once inside the church.

Santa Maria della Grazie Church 

A picture of a copy of the painting taken outside of the church (you are not allowed to take photographs of the original)

It is a true experience and a must-see when in Milan. Surely you can see the deterioration of the painting The Last Supper, but ironically, this (in my humble opinion) also lets the viewer appreciate other aspects and details of Leonardo’s work. 

You should see it for yourself. It is an experience.

Happy Travels!

Mariela