Portobello pizzaiolo Michael Notarangelo has returned to his roots with the opening of a new pizzeria in the seaside town.
Pronto, on Brighton Place, promises it will deliver the most authentic pizza possible outside of Italy.
Detailed research, exhaustive trials and sourcing the best ingredients from across Italy have been employed to evoke childhood memories of his Italian heritage, which can be traced to Belmonte Castello, a hillside town between Rome and Naples.
Michael said: “I always knew I wanted my own pizza place but it had to be right, serving the authentic log-fired pizza that I remember from my childhood. I grew up eating great pizza during trips to my grandparent’s home in Italy and my aim is to emulate that nostalgic taste in all we do.
“The key to getting that authentic flavour is all down the ingredients. Every core component has been carefully sourced using specialist Italian importers who find the very best ingredients from all regions of Italy.
“Italy has lots of variations of pizza but the Neapolitan style was always a favourite of mine and that’s what we specialise in. As any Italian will tell you, it’s all about the crust.”
The menu will include traditional favourites but Michael is planning to work with suppliers to develop new pizzas as regular specials. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
The launch of Pronto in Portobello gives Michael with his first “physical” premises for his fast-growing Belmonte Catering business, which was formed in 2021 and evolved from a street food operation.
Pronto Slice, a sister business, offers Scotland’s first pizza al taglio from a site on Castlehill close to Edinburgh Castle.
Michael, who was brought up in Portobello, said: “The opening of our first trading site is a big landmark for the business and it will also be the hub to serve Pronto Slice and to support our other street food operations as we continue expand in the future.”
Pronto, which offers some casual dining options, is open seven days a week and plans to serve pizza al taglio slices at lunchtime, as well as other Italian deli treats in the near future.
You can call to make your order for collection on 0131 287 2822. Open from 5pm.
Stephen Rafferty is a former crime correspondent at The Scotsman and was a staff reporter for the Daily Record and Edinburgh Evening News. He has freelanced for many of the Scottish and UK national newspaper titles. Got a story? Get in touch - stephen@theedinburghreporter.co.uk
