After years of anticipation, world-famous Italian eatery, L’antica Pizzeria da Michele, will have its grand opening on Friday, Jan. 5 at 12 p.m.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at noon to mark the completion of the years-long project. The building, formerly occupied by Papalucci’s Italian Restaurant, has sat vacant for years. After Friday, the restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The pizzeria’s origins can be traced back to Naples (Italy, not Long Beach) in 1870. The eatery especially gained notoriety in pop-culture when Author Elizabeth Gilbert, known for her novel “Eat, Pray, Love,” visited the restaurant during her tour of Italy.
In 2019, the restaurant opened in Hollywood and now its third California location will open in Belmont Shore.
More details, including the Long Beach location’s menu, will be revealed on opening day. Other locations offer pizza straight from clay wood-fire ovens, salads and Italian classics like chicken milanese.
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele is at 4621 Second Street.