This time round it was to Jomtien and a visit to a recently opened Sicilian style Pizzeria called Da Nicola Pizza. It is the creation of Australian born award winning chef Nico, hence the name. Nico was born in Sydney, but is descended from a Sicilian family. Da Nicola Pizza is located in a modern building on a side road off the new Jomtien Second Road, not too far from the Jomtien Plaza. Simply decorated, but with a few Sicilian and Australian memorabilia scattered throughout this small but cosy restaurant and take away. Already, the word is spreading as Nico has now a good number of regular customers who have nothing but praise for his Pizzas.
The menu is quite straightforward, mainly offering a choice of 12 styles of Pizza, all freshly made and prepared by Nico himself and cooked in an electric Pizza oven. For the record, Sicilian style Pizza has a slightly thicker dough base that isn’t allowed to rise and is chewable and can be folded. The sauce is also thicker and allowed to marinade on the dough for a few minutes before being cooked in a hot oven.
They range from 220 baht for a simple but classic Margherita, with homemade Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese and fresh Basil leaves, to a popular house specialty Tarcoli Pizza at 280 baht for Ham, Chicken, Mozzarella Cheese, Aubergine/Eggplant, Tomato and Garlic and Chili. There are also two styles of Calzone, folded over Pizza dough filled with a choice of Salami and Ricotta or Eggplant/Aubergine, Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese, both at 270 baht. Nico also offers a few Pasta dishes, such as Spaghetti Bolognese (230 baht), Penne with Mushrooms, Bacon and Cream (250 baht), and Lasagna (240 baht) and potato dumpling Gnocchi (250 baht). Also available are a few side dishes such as Garlic Bread with Olive Oil at 150 baht, Salad at 90 baht, and Bruschetta (190 baht) with chopped Tomato, Garlic, Basil and Olive Oil served on Italian Bread. So, what did we try? Well, Pizza of course! Plus a bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese with plenty of Parmesan Cheese! We tried Nico’s house specialty Australian Pizza at 250 baht for Bacon, Egg, Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese. Then it was on to a nearer to home Pizza style, aptly called Pattaya Pizza (260 baht) with Ham, Salami, Olives, Capsicum/Bell Pepper, Tomato, Chicken and Mozzarella Cheese. Finally, a unique twist to the classic Hawaiian Pizza (270 baht) covered with Ham, Salami, Onion, Capsicum, Mushrooms, Olives, Pineapple chunks, Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese.
What did they taste like? Well, we have to agree with Nico’s regular customers’ remarks, as they really are excellent, with a perfectly presented thin, foldable and chewy Pizza base, smothered with all those tasty fresh toppings.
If you like wine, do try the exceptionally good Italian house wines at 80 baht a glass. Bottled beer is sold at 75 baht for Heineken and 60 baht for Chang. Espresso coffee is 50 baht and Cappuccino at 60 baht a cup.
So, for a truly great tasting Sicilian style Pizza why not get down to Da Nicola, and try one for yourself all courtesy of chef Nico and his friendly staff.
Open every day from 10am until 1am. Telephone: 038 059 566.
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20/15-16 M.10, Soi Day-Night Hotel, South Pattaya Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20150, Thailand. Tel. 0-3842-7585, 0-3842-0707, Fax: 0-3842-9773
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