Pummarola Fort Lauderdale "Pizza Napoletana" — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

A little background on this pizzeria:

The first Pummarola was founded in Naples Italy in 1968 by Rosa Donna Rummo. The restaurant's name was inspired by Rummo's red fiat 500 that was often seen outside the restaurant. Some locations feature a fiat inside the restaurant; see the attached photos to view this fun feature at the Ft. Lauderdale location.

The word pummarola is in Neapolitan dialect and means "tomato".

We entered the building and had to navigate between tables with a dozen or more people adorned with chef hats and aprons preparing and topping pizza dough. I was confused at first until it became apparent these chefs didn't work there, but instead were attending a pizza class. The instructor was buzzing around teaching, supporting their efforts, and barking instructions in Italian to the Pizzaiolo's behind the counter.

We stood in a line formed at a counter that moved quickly. I didn't mind standing in line to order because there were so many interesting things to look at. It was fun observing the pizza class, seeing the fiat on the wall, which, was occasionally opened by staff to grab supplies out of.

After 10-15 minutes it was finally our turn to order. They offer 10 and 14 inch pizzas. I figured the 3 of us would order something different and choose an additional 4th pizza. Each pizza was cut into 4 slices and our plan was to sample them all.

Our order consisted of the following:

Prosciutto and arugula - margherita, fresh mozzarella, arugula, fresh shaved parmesan.

Crema di Tartufo - truffle mushroom cream, ham, mozzarella, truffle oil.

Capriciossa - margherita, mushroom, ham, artichokes, olives.

Four Cheese - mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, smoked buffalo mozzarella.

We ordered the montanara as an appetizer which consisted of 3 flash fried mini pizzas. I was really excited to have pizza fritta because my family made this at home.

Ok, enough with the dissertation! How was the pizza?

The first pizza that came out, and the one I coincidentally was looking forward to most, was the crema di tartufo. The remaining pizzas came out within minutes which is no surprise knowing they are cooked at 900 degrees in a wood fired oven. You could visually see the pizza was burning hot and I scarified my fingertips in an effort to get that pizza in my hands as quickly as possible. I wasn't sure if I had to use a knife and fork since it was a neopolitan, but right out of the oven the super thin crust held up well and I was able to eat it with my hands. I was blown away by the flavor of the truffle and the dough was supple and delicious.

All four pizzas were wonderful in their own ways. The star of the show for me among our pizza selections was the prosciutto and arugula. The idea of prosciutto on pizza makes me a little nervous because if it's cut too thick you will end up taking the entire piece of prosciutto off with your bite and making a mess; especially if you are not using a knife and fork like a civilized person. Luckily for us the prosciutto was just thick enough that you got that splendid funky flavor while being pliable enough to bite of pieces with each bite of each slice. That combined with the flavor of the generously shaved parmesan cheese were like an umami bomb going off in your mouth. The arugula offered it's peppery goodness that was like icing on the cake. I must have sounded like a lunatic who hadn't had food in year. A lot of sighing, a lot of wows, and I think I probably looked around to make sure no children were around and threw some expletives in there just for good measure.

The montanara was awesome as well. It teleported me back to my parents making pizza fritta as a child and several years ago when we made it with my family. You bite into that airy crunchy dough and it always confused the mind in the first bite. It tastes like a dessert until your second bite when you taste the savory tomato sauce and the cheese. A must have appetizer. My only regret is I planned on ordering the nutella pizza or nutella...

Title: A Culinary Extravaganza at Pummaro: Where Pizza Perfection Meets Bread Brilliance

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing what I can confidently declare as the best pizza of my life at Pummaro. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was inviting, and the aroma of freshly baked pizza and bread wafted through the air, teasing my taste buds with anticipation.

What sets Pummaro apart is not just the exceptional pizza but also the charismatic Domenico, the pizza man and visionary owner. His friendliness added an extra layer of enjoyment to an already delightful culinary adventure. Domenico's passion for his craft is palpable, and it reflects in every slice of perfection that comes out of the oven.

And speaking of perfection, let's not overlook the incredible bread that Domenico is crafting. The owner's amazing talents extend beyond pizza; his artisanal bread is a testament to his culinary expertise. The crusty exterior and soft, flavorful interior of the bread showcase the same dedication to quality that makes Pummaro a gastronomic haven.

The pizza at Pummaro is a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate, and the bread is a harmonious accompaniment that elevates the entire dining experience. The toppings are fresh, vibrant, and expertly combined to create a taste sensation that is simply unparalleled.

Domenico's dedication to quality is evident in every detail, from the carefully selected ingredients to the artful presentation. It's more than just a meal; it's an experience that lingers in your memory long after the last bite.

If you're a pizza enthusiast or just someone looking for an extraordinary culinary experience, Pummaro is a must-visit. I left with a full stomach, a happy heart, and a newfound appreciation for the artistry that goes into crafting the perfect pizza and bread. Bravo, Domenico, and thank you for a culinary journey I won't...

Decided on Pummarola for dinner when visiting the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science for the Oppenheimer IMAX premiere. Pummarola is a short walk if you cut through near the Amaturo Theater and Marti's New River Bistro and makes for a scenic walk too!

This place was rated a full 5-stars according to Google reviews and frankly I found it somewhat unbelievable and figured the reviews were manipulated. I am now a believer! This is the best food (of any price level), best service (all the staff there seemed to genuinely care you had a good meal), and best overall value I've experienced in at least several years and all this from an inconspicuous, small chain Italian restaurant. I could only give 4-stars for atmosphere because it's just very casual and the "Italian groceries" are pretty limited if you went there thinking this is some sort of market too (at least at the Fort Lauderdale location). However, that is totally made up for the fact the staff you're close to at the front counter and in the kitchen while you're dining all seem to care that you have a good meal. They even spaced out our salad and appetizer and only fired our pasta when they saw we were almost finished. Pasta dishes were served in the pan they were sautéed in which I think is brilliant.

I rarely eat Italian because I generally try to eat low carb, but this place is worth it if you're visiting the area. Just wish they had a location in North Central Florida. I imagine locals get take-out all the time too as it's very reasonably priced. I wasn't thinking to take food or inside pictures, but others covered that well here. Lastly, the staff didn't even seem to be aware they had such high reviews...