Pizzeria Locale: Old World Neapolitan Pizza in the KC Metro

Basil, mozzarella, pepperoni, chili flakes and thin, lightly charred crust. I can taste each distinct flavor in every bite of the Diavola, one of the offerings at Pizzeria Locale. It is pizza perfection. This restaurant has gifted Kansas City with a truly authentic Neapolitan pizza and packaged it to be fast, convenient and, yes, even healthy. The sauce is light, the cheese is a well-proportioned accent, and the basil is fragrant. It is pizza without drama, without pretense.

America is saturated with all types of junk food pizza, but chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and master sommelier Bobby Stuckey teamed up to tell a different story about this culinary favorite. In southern Italy, pizza is an everyday food. It is a simple formula, with fresh, healthy ingredients and very thin crust so it can be folded and eaten on the go. Lachlan and Bobby have introduced that version of pizza to this side of the pond, and with a number of distinguished food and wine awards between them plus a highly sought-after fine dining Italian restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, they are the ones to do it.

They knew it would be a tall order to change the American perception of pizza. It was important to them to maintain the integrity of traditional southern Italian pizza, and to offer it at a price point accessible to anyone in a time frame that was convenient. They started by sending a small team to Naples, commonly known as the birthplace of pizza, for six months, to immerse themselves in the culture and learn the craft of pizza making.

“It all starts with the food,” Lachlan said. “Quality ingredients can change people’s minds about fast food pizza.” By keeping their menu simple, they can afford to offer the highest-quality ingredients available and emphasize the distinct flavors of their carefully constructed combinations.

While some elements of the old-world style would be impossible to recreate here in the States, Bobby and Lachlan spared no expense to get as close as possible. Each location has as its center a large, state-of-the-art oven engineered specifically for Pizzeria Locale. It simulates the cooking experience of old-world Italy, but in a way that meets the needs of our fast-paced American culture. It sends your made-to-order pizza on a three-and-a-half-minute journey around a center flame on a rotating hearth, where it’s baked on all sides. When it’s done, you enjoy a pizza, with its fresh, mouthwatering toppings, that’s made with a little magic. One bite can transport you instantly to the bustling, noisy streets of Naples, or to the pristine and peaceful vineyard that produces the house wine they serve on tap.

In addition to being award-winning restaurateurs, Bobby and Lachlan also make their own award-winning wine, which they bring to Pizzeria Locale for only $5 a glass. Like the pizza menu, they keep it simple; you may choose red or white. Either way, you are getting high-end, decadent wine at a competitive price. The wine, paired with the most memorable pizza I ever have tasted, places this restaurant decisively at the top of my Best Ever Pizza list. But if you prefer beer with your pizza, that’s covered too. They offer a curated selection of regional craft beers from independent brewers in the area, specifically chosen to complement the pizza.

Ambiance is a high priority for Bobby and Lachlan. “Most fast food places don’t have ambiance, but it’s an important part of the dining experience,” Lachlan said. Contributing to the ambiance at Pizzeria Locale are large, vibrant photographs featuring the people and street life in Naples. Photographer Dave Woody, a college friend of Lachlan’s, visits Naples each year to capture new images of this storied Italian city. It is artwork you can get lost in as you sit and enjoy your pizza. And while the restaurant is designed for efficiency, it’s also warm and inviting, in part due to the beautiful wood-fired oven as the focal point. The finishes are stylish and sophisticated, but comfortable. There is also patio seating available as Kansas City weather permits.

The hospitality at Pizzeria Locale is another defining element that sets it apart from other fast casual restaurants. Like their Italian counterparts, the staff is friendly, passionate, and committed to the satisfaction of each guest. Don’t be surprised if they step out from behind the counter to welcome you, chat, answer questions, and take care of any needs you might have. They can recommend pairings, or suggest a combination of toppings if you are building your own pizza.

With remarkable attention to detail and reverence for pizza as a traditional culinary art form, Bobby and Lachlan take us on a journey to their beloved southern Italy, brilliantly using all of our senses to recreate an old-world feel in a sophisticated 21st-century skin. At Pizzeria Locale, pizza is no longer common. It is simple, flavorful and sustaining, just as it was originally intended to be. ■

Visit Pizzeria Locale at one of its three locations in the KC metro: 505 W 75th Street, Kansas City, 11875 W. 95th Street or 6455 W. 135th Street in Overland Park; preview the menu at pizzerialocale.com.