The Seattle Traveler

The pizza debate is alive and well in Seattle:  Deep dish vs. flat.  Thin crust vs. thick.  Heavily sauced with lots of ingredients vs. minimalist.

Now you can add another concept into the mix:  authentic Neapolitan pizza, available locally only at Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria.

The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) 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, which include the use of specific ingredients in the dough and sauce, 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, with a very thin bit of crunch.  It is not uncommon to see at least one flame-blackened blister on the rim.

Tutta Bella was the first restaurant in the Pacific Northwest, and the tenth in the United States, to receive the VPN certification as a true Neapolitan pizzeria, and the owners take the responsibility of maintaining that certification seriously.

The menu features, of course, authentic Neapolitan pizza, along with a selection of salads and desserts.

Locations and Hours:  There are two Tutta Bella locations, one in Columbia City (4928 Rainier Avenue South), the other in Wallingford (4411 Stone Way North).  Hours at both locations are Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-10 pm, Friday & Saturday 11 am-11 pm.  Street parking is available at Columbia City, the Wallingford location has a parking lot.

Ambiance:  The restaurants are frequently as hectic as the streets in Naples.  Think of it as a busy, casual place, with family and friends gathering to eat, talk, and hang out.  It just feels good to be there.  Both locations are kid friendly, although the Wallingford area seems to specialize as a party location. (I’ve received several invitations for birthday parties for nieces and nephews that were held at the Wallingford location.)

Tasting Notes:  My favorite of the pizzas is the Prosciutto e Rucola (Italian ham and arugula, $11).  The saltiness of the prosciutto, the sharpness of the arugula, and the creaminess of the fresh mozzarella is a great taste combination.  The classic margherita pizza ($10) is another good choice.  The house salad ($9, $6 small) is probably my favorite from the salad listing.  I’ve found the Caesar salad ($9, $6 small) to be fairly consistently over dressed.

Specials:  Live music on Wednesday and Saturday at Columbia City.  Both restaurants will prepare your order to go.

Price:  Salads are priced $4-$11, and are available in small and large sizes.  Pizzas are priced $9-$11, with additional toppings available.  Desserts run $2.50 for gelato to $6 for tiramisu for two.

Miscellaneous:  Pizzas come served with knife and fork, but try eating it “a libretto” like the Neapolitans – folded like a book.

Photo credit:  Tutta Bella

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