this is an edit from my previous posting on my fave places in my hood. and i do this only because i didn't want to divert attention from the other fabulous places that i love.... that, and, PL deserves it's own post because i spend so much time (*cough*money*cough*) there. and love it. and the people. etc. love.
my soul mate - pizzeria libretto.
you already clearly know everything about it because i talk about it so much. but can we please further delve into it's wonder? they will take your name for a waitlist, and CALL YOU WHEN YOUR TABLE IS READY. aka. i don't have to sit or stand, blocking their entry, waiting for an hour for a table. instead, i can drink $4 beer at the lakeview! win, win, win. their pizza cooks for 90 seconds - because, well, we be busy people! - at 900 DEGREES. i'm not sure if you understand the magnitude of what i'm explaining here. that means: burny crust bits; chewy inside; bubbly cheese; wonderous beauty in pizza form.
wait... what's that, you say? did jamie say cheese? do those photos have meat in them? but i don't understand - i thought she was vegan? psych! i am. kind of (that's a whole other blog post). since i'm vegan for political and environmental reasons, i choose to consciously eat meat and cheese sparingly (think - once a month, if that), and only if i know where it comes from, and i'm comfortable that it is produced in a sustainable, and responsible manner. enter PL - local ingredients, from local farms, who farm responsibly (you can ask more when you get there). they know what they're doing, and they're doing it right. this is how they feel about it.
still not convinced? fine. they are certified. as in, they have VPN certification that their pizza is the real thing from naples. that's the real thing, ya know? they have a pizza oven made by a 3rd generation oen maker in naples, and they use the real ingredients - to be certified legit. too legit to quit.
the atmosphere is the most fancy casual restaurant i've ever been to. want to take a date? no prob. want to impress someone fancy? you can absolutely do that. want to have lunch in jean shorts on a sunday afternoon? sure! (but only if it's a late, after 4 lunch). this place makes you feel like a million bucks - like a celeb - without making you feel like you need to know the creme de la creme of table manners. case study. i'm not a classy gal - i like to talk loud, i burp, i eat with my hands, and i don't really own nice shoes (they're all birkenstocks, blundstones, and moccasins). taking me to restaurants is a bit awful for some people. here? i am accepted. a table full of women who like to share pizza, and talk about likely totally inappropriate things? acceptable. honestly - you'll feel good here.
and i can't go without saying that the people who work here are phenomenal. they remember you, they are funny, and sweet, and just plain good at their jobs. they know everything about everything, and they recommend things without hesitation. case study: my friend and i wanted to know which of the 2 cheapest bottles of wine on the menu was better - our server, without hesitation, told us. and made us feel normal for being cheapskates. love him. sitting at the bar, ordering food, drinks, various things of delectable nature, and chatting with the lovely people working the bar area - what other restaurant can you go into and integrate their service staff into your evening comfortably? these people are the perfect balance of professionalism and service and easy going (ness?), and fun.
birthday celebrations for a babe at PL (photos from nicole and erin)
just go to this place. you will not regret it. sometimes i tell people about it, and i get all worked up and worried that they'll get there, and hate it. but that's ridiculous. nevernevernever has anyone not wanted to immediately go back. (sorry 'bout that double negative)
tell them jamie sent you. it won't mean anything, but it'll be funny.