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L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele opens in Santa Barbara

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November 17, 2022

L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele opened in Santa Barbara, California earlier this month, according to a press release.

The pizzeria is situated in the historic Ember Mill building on State Street in the heart of Santa Barbara. The pizzeria is brought to life by Italian entrepreneur, restaurateur and Owner Francesco Zimone, who opened the first U.S. outpost of the iconic 152-year-old Naples brand in Hollywood in 2019.

"We are thrilled to expand our Naples footprint with the opening of our second California location in Santa Barbara — a city we are proud to embrace as our new home," Zimone said in the press release. "Our cozy new location is equally on par with the authentic flavors diners could expect whilst eating in Italy, without having to leave this beautiful beach town. I for one, have fallen in love with the Mediterranean-style architecture of the city, and hope that our Naples style dining will add to Santa Barbara's already rich and diverse dining community. With a dream to continue to share the treasured 152-year-old Italian recipes and sense of genuine hospitality and place, we look forward to welcoming the Santa Barbara community with open arms this season."

Designed by Zimone, who conceptualized and constructed every part of the new location located in the historic Spanish-style building, the space amplifies the traditional architecture of Santa Barbara with a Northern European touch. The original structure of the building serves as a canvas for a modern, yet rustic ambiance, with light natural wood wrapping the walls to evoke a cozy feel in a convivial atmosphere with an open pizza kitchen, a 60-seat tree-covered courtyard with views of State Street, indoor dining and bar seating for an additional 40 guests, as well as sidewalk-adjacent seating accommodating 20 guests.