A Non-GMO Neapolitan Style Pizza
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Pizzeria, Italian
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined in: August 2018
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
MidiCi pizza Consulting Director of Culinary Research:
Peppe Miele
pictured with Mario Vollera
Assistant director of culinary research
There are two MidiCi’s restaurants; one is pizza and the other is an Italian kitchen owned by the same company. What is a Neapolitan pizza? It is the way Italians invented it 300 years ago. Neapolitan Pizza tells the story of Naples. The Italians believe a meal is about taste, flavors, and colors, and it is about the people, the conversations, and the laughter. MidiCi’s Neapolitan Pizza is a Los Angeles-born pizza company and opened in St Petersburg in 2017 as part of an expansion to the Tyrone Square Mall. MidiCi (mee-dee-chee), is Italian for “you tell me,” and according to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay the MidiCi St Petersburg franchisees are John Eckermann and Harold Bradshaw. The restaurant also meets all rigorous gastronomic rules to serving authentic Neapolitan Pizza.
The ovens are made exclusively by hand, from raw materials like sand and stone harvested in Naples. They burn at about 1000º Fahrenheit, making the Neapolitan Pizza complete in just 90 seconds of baking. Each restaurant has a real black olive tree planted in the dining room, and near the ovens, a manual flywheel prosciutto slicer called a Vittoria. As of 2018, there are currently five other Florida locations in the works alongside existing restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Kissimmee. MidiCi operates nationwide in 10 states, including California, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, and Texas.
Menu:
- Small and Shared Plates
- Salads
- Classic Neapolitan Pizza
- Pasta
- Wood-Fired Calzones
- Desserts
- Happy Hour
What is a Neopolitan pizza?
As the story goes, during a summer vacation in Naples Queen Margherita was presented a pizza by a local pizzaiolo with tomato, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and a touch of basil to represent the three colors of the new Italian flag. She liked it so much that it was named in her honor. Thus the classic Margherita was born. Over the centuries, Neapolitan Pizza has become an institution, and in 1998, its ingredients and method of preparation were officially protected by Italian legislation. The dough at MidiCi’s consists of four ingredients: Non-GMO Double zero “00” Neapolitan flour, water, sea salt, and yeast. The sauce is made from non-GMO crushed Italian peeled tomatoes, with no oils, or added sugars. The cheeses are Italian made from high-quality kinds of milk and the mozzarella is also known as “white gold”, for its premium quality and taste.
Caputo “00” flour is additive free, non-GMO, and all-natural, finely ground with a lower gluten content to most other flours sold on the market, and is milled specifically for use at temperatures above 700°F. The “00” refers to the texture of the flour: Italian flours are classified by numbers according to how finely they are ground, from the roughest ground “tipo” 1 to 0, and the finest 00. The tomatoes for the sauce are also non-GMO and are cultivated in Campania, an area with rich soil with a year-round Mediterranean climate which creates a unique environment for growing tomatoes. The olive oil is authentic, extra virgin, cold-pressed and non-GMO. The mozzarella cheese is soft, delicate in texture, and is processed using pasteurized cow’s milk, which is gluten-free, and rBST free. Finally, the Prosciutto San Daniele Natura Antica is a DOP (Protected Designation of Origin). Prosciutto di San Daniele is produced only in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region around the town of San Daniele in the province of Udine, in the north-eastern part of Italy. Recognizable by its Consortium brand, Prosciutto di San Daniele is made solely of the meat of pigs born and bred in Italy and Italian sea salt.
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| MidiCi / Wood-fired ovens |
The menu has many options which include fifteen specialty pizzas and a classic create-your-own pies section all cooked at 900-degree’s in the wood-fired oven for 90 seconds, for a piece of perfection. You begin your order by selecting a base with the Margherita being the best seller. You can also choose a white, house pesto, truffle, vegan, red marinara, and if you wish, you can have a gluten-free made crust. From here you add your assorted toppings from protein, market vegetables, premium toppings, and cheese. My wife and I shared the classic truffle base with prosciutto protein and cheese. Every mouth-watering bite took me back to when I visited Naples in 2002 having an authentic Neapolitan pizza for the first time, and how this MidiCi Neapolitan pizza was just as good as the local Naples pizza restaurant. Also, if you're not in the mood for a regular pizza you can order fie assorted wood-fired calzones, or seven pasta entree dishes.
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| MidiCi / Truffle and Proscuitto pizza |
My wife had a glass of 2017 Rosé from the Anew Winery in Washington State. According to the winemakers’ tasting notes, the Anew Rosé opens with bright aromas of pink grapefruit and peach blossom, followed by flavors of crisp watermelon and juicy strawberry that linger on the palate. This is a vibrant wine with racy acidity and savory minerality. I had a Peroni Italian beer for my beverage. The General Manager was also very friendly visiting us a few times while we ate, enjoying the conversation. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and would say that MidiCi is on par with other pizza chains that are also moving in the organic and non-GMO direction like California Pizza Kitchen.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert but some of the interest on the menu that we may try on our next visit is the cannoli Siciliana, The Nutella® calzone with three berry’s, or the tiramisu.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
United States:
Washington State:
1. Columbia Valley AVA which includes:
Yakima Valley
Red Mountain
Wahluke Slope
Rattlesnake Hills
Horse Heaven Hills
Snipes Mountain
Lake Chelan
Naches Heights
Ancient Lakes AVA
Other noteworthy Pizzeria articles and restaurants similar to MidiCi pizza:
A yeasted flatbread typically topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and baked in an oven. It is commonly topped with a selection of meats, vegetables, and condiments. The term pizza was first recorded in the tenth century, in a Latin manuscript from Gaeta. Modern pizza was invented in Naples, Italy, and the dish and its variants have since become popular and common in many areas of the world.
Base Woodfired Pizza A Re-Start business at “Little High Eatery” in Christchurch, New Zealand
Gino’s East Pizzeria Chain serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza and other Italian eats in Chicago, Illinois
Home Slice Pizza Thin-crust New York style pizza restaurant in Austin, Texas
Noble Crust Modern contemporary Italian and Southern dishes in St Petersburg, Florida
Pizza Republica Trendy Italian trattoria and pizza restaurant in Centennial, Colorado
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St. Petersburg restaurants, and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Classic Chain German Beer Hall
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Local and organic at the Birchwood
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
2nd review of this downtown seafood Restaurant
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A few Florida restaurant favorites:
|
Vibrant Southern cuisine & BBQ
St Augustine, Florida USA
|
Casual local Chain for traditional meals
Pinellas Park, Florida USA
|
Upscale Pan Asian Fare w/sushi
Orlando, Florida, USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give MidiCi pizza a 3 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for MidiCi Pizza
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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11
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11
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0
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Food quality
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11
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9
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2
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Plate presentation
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8
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6
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2
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Customer service
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13
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10
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3
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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6
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4
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Total regular points awarded
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53
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42
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11
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.792452830188679
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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1
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0188679245283019
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Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.811320754716981
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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3
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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3 of 5 Stars:
81% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
Exceeded My Expectations in a Dining Experience
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Wine List:
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MidiCi Pizza Wine rating:
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4 of 10
Old World selections:
Italy
New World selections:
Argentina, California, New Zealand, Oregon, Washington State
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Corkage fees:
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MidiCi Pizza corkage fees are $10.00 per bottle however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine Style at MidiCi Pizza:
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Italian, Pizzeria
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-free choices, Low Carb Choices, Non-GMO, Sustainable, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s flip-flops!
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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MidiCi Pizza Experiences:
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Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, Great Bar, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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MidiCi has a public lot
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Low to Medium
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Smoking:
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MidiCi is a non-smoking restaurant with a non-smoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
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Yes
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
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Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
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$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€
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Alcohol prices:
$15.00 USD
MidiCi pizza:
2424 Tyrone Boulevard North
STE #524B
St. Petersburg
Florida 33710
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1(727) 302-0777
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Online reservations
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Website Contact:
Email Us:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Sun - Thur
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri - Sat
11:00 am - 10:00 am
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for
MidiCi Pizza:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Taste of tribal Zimbabwe cuisine
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
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Vibrant Pan-Indian Cuisine
Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, England, UK
|
Stylish modern Spanish and global cuisine
Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE
|
Other MidiCi Pizza Pictures:
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| MidiCi / Open Air Kitchen |
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| MidiCi / Live olive tree in every restaurant |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
