Opening in Belmont Shore, CA in Spring 2022, one of Naples’ most celebrated and historic pizzerias, L’antica Pizzeria da Michele, is bringing its beloved 150-year-old pizza recipe to its newest West Coast location. The 8,000 square foot ‘Italian Village”, which exudes a resort-like atmosphere, will house ‘Antica Pizzeria’ and the first-ever iteration of Antica Café, both sharing an idyllic al fresco courtyard that sits in the middle of the triangular establishment.
Following the immense success of L’antica Pizzeria da Michele’s first-ever U.S. location in the heart of Hollywood in 2019, the world-famous pizzeria will honor its deep-rooted Italian heritage and genuinely felt hospitality in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Long Beach. Often described as a quintessential seaside community, Belmont Shore shares many of the same features that Naples offers, including sandy beaches, calm lagoons, picturesque canals, elegant home-lined boardwalks—and now, pizza.
Originally founded in Naples, Italy in 1870, L’antica Pizzeria da Michele has been crafting Neapolitan-style pizzas for over 150 years. The Naples storefront, where Owner Francesco Zimone found himself dining throughout his childhood, is often regarded as one of the oldest and most famous pizzerias in the world. With a vision for expanding the L’antica Pizzeria da Michele brand nationwide, Zimone opened the restaurant’s first United States-based location in Hollywood, where his passion for being of service to his guests and bringing a slice of his hometown to the states has resulted in two additional lease signings for forthcoming locations in 2022. The Belmont Shore announcement comes on the heels of L’antica Pizzeria da Michele’s recent lease signing for their 6,000 square foot West Village location in New York City.
With an extraordinary emphasis on hospitality and experience, the al fresco haven in Belmont Shore is an incredible labor of love, with Owner Francesco Zimone noting it as “by the far the most difficult build he has ever seen or worked on”.
As a location that previously housed two separate businesses, Zimone will join the two spaces to replicate the idea of an Italian ‘square’ or plaza. Bringing the Spanish-style building back to life, Zimone will mirror the magic of the Hollywood location in what he calls ‘perfectly imperfect’ – warm and inviting, the 5,000 square feet of indoor space combined with an additional 3,000 square feet of outdoor space are designed to make guests feel at home. Prior to opening in Spring of 2022, Zimone will sit in all 200 seats himself to ensure no detail is forgotten or overlooked from a diner’s perspective.
Similarly to the charming Hollywood outpost, diners will have the pleasure of watching their Neapolitan-style pizzas and handmade pastas come to life through glass walls dividing the dining area from the pizzeria and pastificio.
Led by Naples born and trained Executive Chef Michele Rubini, the menu will include the famed Neapolitan pizza recipe, as well as a selection of house made pasta recipes passed down through generations. Unique to Belmont Shore, guests will additionally be treated to Italian pastries, espressos, and a full café menu within the new Antica Café extension.
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele Belmont Shore will operate seven days a week at 4611 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803.
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