Settebello
We like to think of Brad, Maeve’s husband and our wonderful site admin, as something of a pizza connoisseur. It was Brad who spied-out Este, our preferred take-out joint, when he was scrubbing down his vehicle at a nearby carwash. He recently sniffed out a new favorite pizza spot; it’s almost as though he has an inner pizza compass, like he can sense the right recipe from miles away.
We benefit from his innate pizza-hunting abilities. We headed to Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana (260 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City) yesterday thinking it couldn’t quite live up to what he prophesied. We waited a while to be seated, and to get our food—turns out they ran out of their unique dough, and wouldn’t move forward until a new batch was given adequate time to rise. We didn’t mind, the atmosphere was nice, and when it comes to pizza, we like a place that takes a little pride in their work. We wanted them to get it just right, too.
The Settebello pizza experience is unlike any other around here. It’s authentic, served unsliced with fresh mozzarella. The Settebello mantra goes as follows: “Our pizzas adhere to the strict standards set forth by the Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN). The VPN was established by pizza makers in Napoli, Italy to protect the origins and integrity of pizza as it has been made in Napoli for over 200 years.” If that doesn’t prove they take pizza-making seriously, we don’t know what does.
Settebello is a sit-down restaurant with a menu that includes salads like Caprese (fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and basil for $6.99) and Grande (insalata with fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted mushrooms, olives and pine nuts for $7.99). But it remains wholly dedicated to pizza as the bulk of the menu. We recommend keeping it simple and opting for the Margherita (crushed tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, parmigiano reggiano, extra virgin olive oil for $8.99). But optional toppings include prosciutto, pancetta, pine nuts and arugola.
The dough is neither thick nor thin, though it yields easily to a softer inside, and it’s unusually sweet. The fresh-tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil toppings are melted to perfection, which is why we think take out at Settebello wouldn’t be such a good idea. Go in—wait a while if you have to—but we promise Settebello will deliver.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Ok…I love that you are featuring this restaurant…!! I just went there a week or so ago and it was FABULOUS!! Not kidding. If any of you know me, I am not always super eager to eat pizza, but this was a.w.e.s.o.m.e! I had the Margarita Pizza and was super. We also liked the Lasagna pizza and…there was one more, but can’t remember. Oh, and we put pine nuts on our margarita! Besides Este, and Trio has some pretty good pizza’s, this is definitely a place to go!! Happy eating:)
February 20th, 2007 at 8:54 am
You guys read my mind almost every entry! I’ve been looking for a VPN pizza joint locally – I can’t believe we have one in our little city! Can’t wait to try it.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
This place sounds a lot like Grimaldi’s down here in Scottsdale, AZ. I really liked Grimaldi’s so I will have to try out Settebello. Thanks for the rec.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I drive past this place everyday on my way home from work! No excuses for me on this one. Thanks for the tip!
February 20th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Yum. Looks very delicious- if it’s Brad Approved, it has to be good.
February 21st, 2007 at 11:37 am
My mouth is watering for this! Brad, when do you want to go???
February 21st, 2007 at 5:37 pm
I love Patsy’s here in NYC, Brit loves Applewood Pizza in California. We will have to try this place while we’re in SLC next week and see if we can “meet in the middle.” The East Coast vs. West Coast thing is so hip hop five years ago, anyway.
March 12th, 2007 at 7:52 am
So I finally went to Settebello on Saturday night, and you are right, the pizza is incredibly good, but unfortunately we had a difficult time with the service. When we walked in the hostess told us the wait would be 40 minutes, but 1 1/2 hours later, we still hadn’t been seated. We waited so long that two of the people in my party decided they just couldn’t wait any longer, and left. Once we did sit down, we got our basil-sparse salads before our drinks and utensils, and our pizza before we were half way done with our salads. The server asked us if we wanted one check or separate, we said we just needed one, but she brought back separate checks with wrong salads on wrong pizzas and drinks for the non-drinkers. It was all a bit scattered. We were clearly annoyed, while remaining pleasant, during this entire ordeal, and not that I think we were entitled to some sort of compensation, no hand of forgiveness was extended by the staff. Even through it all nobody could deny that the pizza was delish. I think I’ll go back, but not on a Saturday night, and not in that server’s section.
March 12th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Sorry to hear about your Settebello misfortune, Amy. I’ve dined there twice now and the second time I decided to make a reservation “just in case” and was really happy I did because the place seemed way more crowded than the first time I went. You can make reservations at 801.322.3557.
As for the bad server and wrong checks debacle, I can only wish you luck! Somehow I’ve had the same server both times.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
I love love love Settebello! I have been going there (a lot) since the grand opeing. I love real Italian pizza and Settebellos is the only place in Utah to find it!
May 18th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
just wanted to let you know that I gave Settebello a second chance, and with a reservation this time! It was WORLDS better than the first experience of long waiting. It’s offically now in my top five.
August 6th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Love it! I went there for lunch today with my hubby and very picky little boy. It was delicious! I agree – it’s the best in town, easily. Even my little boy liked it (and that’s saying something). I can’t wait to go back!
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Oh my goodness….THANKS TO YOUR HEART OUT for the BEST RECOMMENDATION in town! I went there for a late lunch (around 1pm) and it was quiet and quick. The pizza only takes 90 seconds to cook! The server said the oven is at around 900 degrees. I didn’t even know that was possible! The namesake pizza, the Settebello made my heart and stomach happy. Many hearts and thanks posting them on your site. I will spend many a dollar and lunch with many a friend at the best pizza place in town…p.s. I’ve had pizza in Italy. It is EVEN BETTER here!
May 21st, 2009 at 8:31 am
[...] foodies to take advantage of Salt Lake’s Dine O’ Round. Take a bite outta Tin Angel or Settebello, or any of the other participating local eateries and get more for your dollars through May 31. You [...]