When we've been working hard in the Stresa Sights office, and we need to take a pause for a little nourishment, we do what good Americans and Italians everywhere always do. We grab a quick pizza to go. Italy isn't known to have much fast food or takeaway, as we do in the States, and it is especially difficult to find in little Stresa, but there is a wonderful little pizza takeaway shop, on via A.M. Bolongaro, that you should know about.

With just a few tiny, standing-height-only tables inside, Pizza al Trancio il Capriccio Fast Food is definitely intended to be a grab-your-slice-and-go type of pizza place. Behind the glass counter they usually have about six freshly made pizzas of various types. Always the classic margherita, usually a nice salame, and then a variety of whatever other popular choices have just been prepared. Slices are large, cheese is fresh, meats are soooo flavorful, and the crust is the perfect consistency.

But, you can also call ahead, or just stop in, and order an entire pie in one of many choices listed on the menu above the counter, or of course, with your own combinations. It's worth to try one of the house specialties however, as they are combinations you may not be readily familiar with, or, they feature Italian meats and cheeses you probably don't see on your pizzas at home, such as pizzas with gorgonzola, speck, and prosciutto. Classic Italian pizza topped with delicious Italian meats and cheeses. How can it get any better than this?


It may be helpful to know just a few Italian words that you may hear in the pizza shop. And most importantly, remember that if you like pepperoni on your pizza, as I do, in Italy you must ask for pizza al salame, or pizza diavola. If you ask for pepperoni you will receive a pizza with slices of the vegetable pepper. Here are a few other handy pizza shop vocab words:

trancio - slice
fetta - also means slice
margherita - classic cheese and tomato sauce pizza
pizza al salame - pepperoni
pizza diavola - another name for pepperoni pizza
portare via - to go. They will ask you "portare via?" to know if you are taking the pizza away.
caldo - hot (when you want your slices put in the oven to rewarm)
intera - the entire pizza pie. Un pizza intera, con _______(Add your favorites here).