Bottega: Authentic Neapolitan Pizzaria by Fratelli Salvo

Posted: April 1st, 2015 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Alameda, Bottega, Daniele Salvo, Fratelli Salvo, Lorenzo, Montanara, Naples, Neapolitan pizza, olive oil, Paulo Salvo, pizza, Romana Pizza, salads, Salvo Family, Sanlitun, tomato conserva, wood-fired oven | 6 Comments »

“We Live for Pizza Since 1928” – The Salvo Family

The thing with pizza is that there are so many different types – from thin vs. thick crust, from delivery to fine dining, from American to Italian and Kiwi pizzas, Beijing is not short of choice. There are so many variations and everybody is entitled to their own preference, but when it comes to authentic Italian pizza, there are far and few between.

Don’t make the mistake of lumping Bottega into the same category as Beijing’s far-too-many wannabe Italian pizza eateries. A real taste of Italy, this pizza is legit and if I wasn’t sold after seeing their premium olive oil and tomato paste, I was sold after biting into that perfected pizza dough.

To give this place justice, I think it’s only fair to explain a bit of Bottega’s background:

Bottega is an Italian restaurant opened by two brothers – Daniele and Paulo Salvo who come from Naples, from a family of master pizzaiolis aka pizza experts where they have mastered the craft of a slow-rising and easily digestible pizza dough, a recipe passed down to them from their grandfather Salvatore Salvo, “who is considered one of the figures credited with shaping the development of Neapolitan Pizza and his portraits can still be found in archives in his native Naples”.

As you walk through Bottega’s entrance, you will see their pride and joy – a bright red, custom-built wood-fired oven that was built in Naples and shipped to Beijing, this is where their dough is made, kneaded and rolled.

‘Bottega’ in Italian means workshop, a place where an artisan produces handcrafted, quality goods. It stands for tradition, passion, innovation, but most importantly, it stands for putting your heart and soul into the work you truly love, something the Salvo family knew all too well. – Bottega

Salvo Brothers Daniele (L) and Paulo (R) Hard at Work

Specializing in authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza along with beautifully made pasta and other rustic Italian comfort foods, Bottega is a smart and stylishly designed space with one entire wall covered with giant light-box portraits of people loving all pizza-related ingredients and the opposite wall just a giant mirror giving the illusion of much more open space.  With a ceiling lined with circular-encased glass light bulbs, the focus is all about the food with a long open kitchen on one end, bottles of imported olive oil and giant jars of tomato conserva (an oven-roasted, highly flavorful tomato concentrate) and a cocktail and wine bar at the other.

The main dining area features angular seating with booths lined against both walls and long tables in between. The night we dined was packed with wine-guzzling pizza lovers.

LDS Snapshots of Bottega: 

Entrance by Alameda, in the Alleyway Across from Page One in Sanlitun Village

That Bright, Red Wood-Fired Custom-Built Oven

Stepping into the Main Dining Room

Custom-Drawn Board of Bottega’s Specials

Bottega’s Colorful, Contemporary Design & Cocktail Bar

Packed Dining Room

Paper Table Mats: Read About the Salvo Family

 

Daniele Salvo Introducing Bottega’s Premium Olive Oils

Ordering to share between two, we managed to order something from basically each of the categories on their 1-page menu. Starting off with two salads, we both shared a pizza, a pasta and a chocolate fondant for dessert.

We were big fans of their signature Bottega Salad with big chunks of nicely-grilled steak and veggies with pesto dressing. And while the clam spaghetti was lovely with fragrant clams and perfectly al dente spaghetti, the highlight of our meal was hands-down the sensational pizza that literally transported both of us to the unforgettable meals we have only known from past holidays in Italy. The pizza dough is light and airy with the crust maintaining its crispy exterior and the middle melting from the gooey, cheesey toppings, just like it ought to be.

I only wished that the chocolate dessert was twice the size that it came as (was itty bitty and gone far too fast) and also that we had the stomach space to also fit in an order of their Montanara Starter (RMB 45), which is basically a serving of scrumptious fried doughballs topped with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. That’s why there’s absolutely going to be a next time, followed by many more return visits.

LDS Snapshots of Dinner at Bottega:

House Bread with Olive Oil and Vinegar

Bottega Signature Salad with Grilled Steak, Eggplant, Red and Yellow Peppers, Zucchini, Romaine Lettuce, Pesto Dressing (RMB 78)

Summer Salad with Mixed Lettuce, Avocado, Watercress, Roasted Baby Pumpkin, Baby Carrots, Radish, Honey Orange Dressing (RMB 58)

Romana Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Anchovies, Oregano, Olive Oil (RMB 88)

With each bite, you can savor that delicious, doughy pizza texture

Spaghetti alle Vongole (clams, cherry tomatoes, parsley, garlic, white wine (RMB 80)

Tortino al Ciccolato – Molten White Chocolate Souffle with Gelato and Crushed Hazelnuts and Fresh Raspberry Sauce (RMB 55)

Note that Bottega opened at the end of 2014, but they are still in soft opening stages. And according to Daniele Salvo, they aim to launch with an official opening party this April so stay tuned!

I commend Bottega’s talented team for taking charge and raising the standard of respectable pizza in Beijing.

Bottega’s Contact Details:

• Address: 18 Sanlitun Bei Lu (Next to Alameda and Jazz-Ya, in the alleyway across from Page One in Taikoo Li Village)

• 三里屯北路18号

• Tel:  6416-1752

• Opening Hours: Daily from 6PM-11PM 

• Website: Click here, FB Page here
  

Other Suggested LDS Articles:

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• Gung Ho! Pizza: Every Day Pizza & Salad Lunch Buffet

• Park 17: Fine Italian Pops Up in South Sanlitun

• Great Leap’s 3rd Branch Soft Opening Weekend

• Fiume First Impressions: Soft Opening Visit

• UK’s Pizza Express Opens 500th Branch in Beijing

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• Annie’s Family Italian: Always Delivers

• The Last Supper by Stuff’d: Pizza-Burger-Calzone

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