Popular fast-casual pizzeria Napizza will open at 615 S Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas in the space that formerly housed Vallarta Express Mexican Eatery. Specializing in pizza al taglio, an authentic Roman-style rectangular pizza, the eatery is anticipated to open its 4th San Diego location this spring.
Owned by Rome-natives Giulia Colmignoi and Christopher Antinucci, Napizza's first location opened on India Street in San Diego's Little Italy in June of 2012, followed by outposts in Rancho Bernardo's 4s Commons Town Center in 2014 and another in Hillcrest's The Hub in 2015.
In addition to a large variety of gourmet rectangular pizzas made with dough constructed with 100% Italian 00 organic flour and allowed to rise for 72 hours before being slow baked for extra fluffiness, Napizza also specializes in entrée-sized salads with house-made dressings, panini sandwiches, and homemade desserts like tiramisu and cannoli. Everything served at Napizza is made in-house at each location using organic and local ingredients whenever possible, except for some cheese, certain mushrooms and the 00 flour, which are all imported directly from Italy.
Napizza is the first pizzeria in San Diego to be certified by the Green Restaurant Association, and each eatery uses recyclable and compostable packaging and constructs its locations using environmentally conscious building materials like LED lighting and bamboo wood features. The pizzeria was also instrumental in persuading the city of San Diego to start a composting program, donates excess food to local food banks and missions, and donates 10% of their Tuesday night sales at all locations to select community non-profits."We try to do our part to offer a high end product while at the same time bettering the community and environment," explained co-owner Christopher Antinucci. "We just hope the North County community appreciates what we do and the food we make."
Like other Napizza locations, pizza options will be on display in glass encasements and available by the slice or whole pie. The 1,200 square foot space will have interior seating and a few outside tables and the company is in the process of applying for a beer and wine license. Napizza Encinitas is anticipated to open mid-May with more area locations on the way.
For more information on Napizza, visit na-pizza.com.
