The Charlottesville 29

205 Monticello Road . Charlottesville, VA
929 Second St. NE . Charlottesville, VA
(434) 244-3226
http://www.lampopizza.com

Why Lampo?

In an era when many chefs chase the next big thing, Lampo’s devote themselves to a traditional food governed by rigid rules: Neapolitan pizza. With practice, study, and expert tutoring, the Lampo kitchen has mastered the pizza, which alone warrants a slot in The Charlottesville 29.

But, there’s much more. Some chefs vow to keep it simple, but then cannot help themselves. When it comes to keeping it simple, Lampo’s chefs walk the walk, embracing the Campanian approach to food: use outstanding ingredients and get out of the way, allowing the product to shine. The results can often leave customers wondering how something so simple can taste so good.

Lampo now has two locations: the original, which is dine-in only, and nearby Lampo 2Go, which is takeout only.

What to Order

It’s one of the most consistent menus in town. Point anywhere, and you’ll be happy. Below are our picks, choices by Lampo’s own chefs, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where other area chefs and personalities have named a Lampo dish one of the best in town. The Vegetable Panuozzo warrants special mention. It’s the #1 sandwich in Charlottesville.

Our Picks

• Antipasti: Pane; Polpettine al Forno
• Insalata: Cavolo Nero; Cavoletti Di Bruxelles
• Panuozzo: Vegetable; Porchetta; Muffalata
• Pizza: Margherita D.O.C.; Marinara D.O.C.
• Specials

Chefs’ Picks

• Cavoletti Di Bruxelles
• Vegetable Panuozzo
• Marinara D.O.C. Pizza

Five Finds on Friday Picks

• Porchetta Panuozzo — JJ Myers (formerly, C&O); Jason Tesauro (writer); Brian Geiger (Cville Pie Fest); Dan Frosaker (Feast!); Jason Boorman (Kardinal Hall); William Darsie (Mariebette Cafe & Bakery); Jess Martin (reader); Lauren Strachan (Harvest Moon Lodge and Retreat); Tiffany Ngyuen (reader)
• Polpettine Panuozzo — Steve Yang (formerly, Tavola)
• Funghi Pizza —  Charlie Toder (formerly, Kardinal Hall); John Hoffman (Keswick Hall); Laura Fonner (formerly, Duner’s); Carrie Hodgkins (Elysium Honey); Megan Kiernan (Forage); Gay Beery (A Pimento Catering); Sean Chandler (Champion Brewing Company); Kate Lynn Nemett (Potter’s Craft Cider); Jaclyn Shaffer (Jaclyn’s Cookies)
• Hellboy Pizza — Vinnie Falcone (formerly, Red Pump Kitchen); Eames Coleman (formerly, Blue Star JüsBar and Baja Fish Taqueria); Caleb Warr (formerly, Tavola); Kelsey Naylor (formerly, Timbercreek Market); Zack Worrell (Monolith Knives); Bo Stockton (Michael’s Bistro & Taphouse)
• Margherita D.O.C. Pizza — Kirk Smith (formerly, Commonwealth); Tyler Davis (Caromont Farm); Albee Pedone (Three Notch’d Brewing); Sarah Sargent (The Catering Outfit); Chrissy Smith (Beer Run); Margo Bulka (WillowTree)
• Margherita Pizza — Hannah Moster (Hamiltons’); Peter Griesar (Brazos Tacos); Siân Richards (Market Street Wine); Kit Ashi (Monsoon Siam); Rachel Snogles (Kama)
• Prosciutto Pizza — Thomas Leroy (formerly, Kardinal Hall); Amber Cohen (formerly, Junction); Yannick Fayolle (Blue Ridge Pizza Co. and Fayolle’s Table); Kathryn Matthews (IRON Paffles & Coffee); Linda Steiner (Duner’s)
• Marinara D.O.C. Pizza — Shelly Robb (Lampo); Maya Hood White (Early Mountain Vineyards); Kay Pfaltz (Basic Necessities); Liz Broyles (Birdhouse); Chase Davidson (son); Ryan Becklund (Botanical)
• Abruzzo Pizza – Josh Skinner (Champion Brewing Company)
• Vongole Pizza – Nathan Hatfield (Mount Ida Reserve)
• Carbonara Pizza — Liberty Kalergis (formerly, MAS Tapas)
• Polpettine — Gregg Dionne (Public Fish & Oyster); Landon Saul (Vivace); Nick Moon (formerly, Brasserie Saison); Chrissy Smith (Beer Run)
• Cavolo Nero — JR Hadley (formerly, Boylan Heights, Cho’s)
• Cavoletti Di Bruxelles — Justin Vesser (The Tennessean Steakhouse); Della Bennett (P L E N T Y)
• Aged Prosciutto — Collins Huff (Gryffon’s Aerie)
• Steak Tartare – Kelley Tripp (The Fitzroy)
• Escarole — Siân Richards (Market Street Wine)
• Escarole and a Negroni – Nina Promisel (Greenwood Gourmet)
• Conserva al spada — Kirk Smith (formerly, Commonwealth)
• Pizza Dough – Peter Robertson (formerly, Cote-Rotie)
• Banh Mi — Rowe Webster (formerly, Smoked Kitchen and Tap)
• Budino — Sara Miller (Timbercreek); Bryan Kelly (Harvest Moon Catering); Carolyn Stromberg Leasure (Righteous Cheese)

Photo by Tom McGovern