The World's Best Pizza

Just the other day a friend invited me to join her on a day trip to Acilia for a taste of “the World's Best Pizza.” Never one to turn down such an offer, I humbly accepted.

We headed out of Rome and down the Via Cristoforo Colombo on the way to Ostia Antica and the beaches. Acilia is a turnoff just before Ostia Antica. Pizza 120 lies just a mile or so up Via Di Acilia on the left and from the outside and in, it has FUN written all over it. From the playful décor to the smiling servers, it is an instant good time.

"Mother-in-law's hot peppers"

Once I was introduced to the owner and his family and then shown about the place, we sat down and the pizza started coming. We had pizza with mushrooms, with anchovies, zucchini flowers, stuffed with speck, mozzarella di bufala, fresh tomato and basil, you name it, it was on the table. With each new slice the sensation grew more and more powerful that quite possibly, I was enjoying the best pizza in the world. Oh and if you don't believe me, I'll have you know that my friend Ersilia and I are not the only ones who think so.

A few slices of heavenly pizza

Last February Pizza 120 won the World Pizza Championship held in Rimini, Italy. 200 Pizzaioli were competing for the title, and Alvaro Paganelli of Pizza120 won first prize for his pizza with tomato, boscaiola salsa, Golfetta salame, parmigiano reggiano, lemon, and olive oil.

Simplicity: tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil

Next time you feel like taking a day trip outside Rome or find yourself hungry on the way back from the beach, stop in and visit Alvaro at Via di Acilia 120. Have a cold beer, a slice (or 4) of the best pizza in the world, and tell him When in Rome sent you!

Owner/worker of Italian pizza miracles: Alvaro Paganelli