By Amy G. Rothlin
A neighborhood gem lies in the streets of Colonia Independencia that will transport pizza lovers' taste buds straight to Italy. With the help of his niece and nephew, young entrepreneur and Pizzaiolo Jonathan, turned on the Mezquite wood oven, opened his home, and created Napoli 39.
The moment you step inside Napoli 39, you're greeted by a rustic charm. Jonathan's passion and commitment to tradition are evident in his use of authentic Neapolitan processes and ingredients. Intrigued by his story, he shared that he moved to Mexico City to attend cooking school, where he learned from award-winning pizzaiolos from Naples.
After working in the U.S.A. for a time, he returned to his beloved San Miguel and has been following his love for a good slice, now sharing it with his clientele. This is a true family entrepreneurship business.
The scene from "Eat Pray Love" where Julia Roberts says, 'I'm having a relationship with this pizza,' comes to mind as I try the first slice. It stands out for several reasons.
First, I noticed and enjoyed the rich tomato sauce imported directly from the Italian province of Puglia. Then there's the dough, masa madre fermented for 48 hours, resulting in a deliciously charred and bubbly crust.
These pizzas are cooked at extremely high temperatures for just about 90 to 120 seconds, preserving the freshness of the ingredients and creating simple yet flavorful toppings.
Everything about Napoli 39 is simple and unpretentious, which is what makes it a truly authentic experience. The menu offers just one option of greens, the house salad. The owner plans to expand the menu as the restaurant grows.
The rest of the menu features four types of Neapolitan pizza, a calzone, and a sweet pizza option. Our main recommendation is, of course, the Queen of Pizzas, the Margherita, followed by the Diavola, topped with mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh basil, and spicy Italian salami. Napoli 39 offers a very affordable wine selection, such as the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($550mxn per bottle) we paired with the Neapolitan pizza. The restaurant also serves beer and soft drinks.
Open Friday through Sunday from 3 to 10 p.m., you'll find Napoli 39 at Francisco Lanzagorta Street No. 39, Independencia. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for Jonathan's latest news.