Like with gelato, claiming that the best pizza in Florence can be found within your doors is a bold statement. But there's no denying that the ooey-gooey deliciousness of Gustapizza draws many patrons __ regulars and first-timers alike __ who rave that the beloved local joint has earned such an impressive title.
Seduced by the alluring glam shots of Gustapizza's thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pie we had seen on Instagram, my partner and I rushed across Ponte Vecchio bridge to the modest establishment around lunchtime, hoping to beat the rush of tourists and exchange students who are said to frequent the restaurant. Alas, the queue was already out the door, even before the clock had struck noon.
As we waited among fellow pizza-loving hopefuls, we deliberated the weighty choice before us: marinara, margherita, Napoli (tomato, mozzarella, oregano, anchovies, capers and olive oil), Gustapizza (cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmesan and mozzarella), calzone Napoletano (tomato, ricotta, salami and mozzarella) or caprese (cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella). But could we really go wrong with any choice? Probably not.
Ordering at the counter, we settled on the calzone Napoletano pie __ and, somewhat sheepishly, I asked if it could be made heart-shaped.
By a few bites in, we were practically belting out Dean Martin's "That's Amore."