L’antica Pizzeria da Michele houses the best pizza in the world! Kathleen and I went to Italy on our honeymoon, and, via train, on our way to Sorrento from Rome we had a stop over in Naples. We knew we were going to go to Pizzeria da Michele because of a book Kathleen read not too long before our wedding called Eat, Pray, Love. Here’s an exert from the book:

“. . . before I left Rome he gave me the name of a pizzeria in Naples that I had to try, because, Giovanni informed me, it sold the best pizza in Naples. I found this a wildly exciting prospect, given that the best pizza in Italy is from Naples, and the best pizza in the world is from Italy, which means that this pizzeria must offer . . . I’m almost too superstitious to say it . . . the best pizza in the world? Giovanni passed along the name of the place with such seriousness and intensity, I almost felt I was being inducted into a secret society. He pressed the address into the palm of my hand and said, in gravest confidense, ‘Please go to this pizzeria. Order the margherita pizza with double mozzarella. If you do not eat this pizza when you are in Naples, please lie to me later and tell me that you did.’

So Sofie and I have come to Pizzeria da Michele, and these pies we have just ordered–one for each of us–are making us lose our minds. I love my pizza so much, in fact, that I have come to believe in my delirium that my pizza might actually love me, in return. I am having a relationship with this pizza, almost an affair. Meanwhile, Sofie is practically in tears over hers, she’s having a metaphysical crisis about it, she’s begging me, ‘Why do they even bother trying to make pizza in Stockholm? Why do we even bother eating food at all in Stockholm? . . .

It goes on, but suffice to say Elizabeth Gilbert, the author, is absolutely correct. Pizzeria da Michele offers the BEST pizza in the entire world. So much so, in fact, that if I never eat another pizza again for the rest of my life I will be satisfied. For the margherita double cheese has ruined all other pizza for us, never again will any other pizza leave me appeased. Only feelings of discontent will be had.

A side and funny note: I thought I had tasted the best pizza in the entire world in Rome. No way did I think any other place could top Rome’s pizza. I’m glad to say I was completely wrong! The sad part of this note is that Rome’s pizza was infinitely better than any pizza I had ever tasted up until that point in my life (almost 27 years of eating pizza). So Rome’s pizza trumps anything from anywhere (US included) and Pizzeria da Michele is boundlessly better than Rome’s pizza. Nothing dares to come close. Pizzeria da Michele, I salute you and swoon after your margherita!

Here are some videos of me trying to explain about the pizzeria and the pizza. Take note that the background noise is pretty loud, so you have to listen carefully to what I’m saying. (Recorded 2008 June 4)

This is our second time at Pizzeria da Michele, but we’re still anxious!

Amazed and hungry, our pizza arrives.

Kathleen’s love affair with her margherita doppia formaggi begins . . . again!

Half way through . . .

Finished, stuffed, and completely satisfied. It’s a joyous and sad occassion.

A quick look at Pizzeria da Michele.

Larger quicktime version can be seen here.

This walk is a test, not final by any means, for the HELP! short I’m working on. He’s kind of bored on his way to work, and is hoping for some action.

I will be looking for a new job because I’m, sadly, not filthy rich; though, working to pay the bills does keep the boredom away. So…That leaves me to promote myself:

If you frequent my blog (not that anyone does) then feel free to browse my website as well: chuck-o-rama. It’s also the last link on the right hand side-bar.

I hope you enjoy my work.

Stage1, Line Drawing

Stage2, Color/Shadow Placement

Final

Private/Super Target… a character that I’ve had for some time. I love drawing him.

And here’s a quick 5 minute (or so) sketch of my fiancee sleeping on the couch: