What do you get when you mix an Italian woman and a San Diego man and you live in a pasta shop in Naples? Answer: A super cool dude that loves life, people, and expressing that through food.
Please allow me to present to you Caliano by Spinelli.
An awesome combination of California and Galiano (I am guessing). The Spinelli name comes from Mario's Maternal Grandmother. Mario being the mastermind behind this super killer operation.
Food truck, mobile pizza oven, catering operation, cooking classes, etc...
Once again the scene of the crime is Fall Brewing, and I'm sure it's no coincidence that another bitchin food truck is parked out front again. Whoever is doing the scheduling around here deserves some kudos.
The truck, although super cool, is not the main hook.
This badass contraption is!
Mobile pizza oven. Yep, this is gonna be cool, you can just feel it.
The previously mentioned dude is Mario, accompanied by his super cool son. A tag-team of sorts, one managing the money the other flipping out the pies. You can just feel it, these guys know how to get it done!
The ever watchful eyes of Hey-Zeus gaze down on the action. This painting is actually from the restaurant that Mario's mother (or grandmother, I don't recall exactly) used to operate.
Let's turn out some pies!
The sauce is simply tomatoes. Nothing else. Italian and ground. No salt, oil, nada.
Bocconcini draining in the sink, removing as much moisture as possible yet remaining fresh and full of flavor.
Lightly sautéd onions.
Pepperoni and sausage and red peppers are added, perfect.
Parmesan and dried oregano complete the toppings.
Well, maybe we add some chili oil as well :-)
Into the oven we go!
Voila!
I like the fact that it's not smothered in cheese. Just enough but not overpowering. It should all be about flavor of the dough and sauce, AND the cheese of course, but it's all about balance not cheesy overload.
A very nice yeasty taste of the dough, a little pull and frankly I'd want just a touch more, but this is definitely the real deal Naples style pizza, from a mobile oven on a trailer. You (Mario) get mega points for that!
OK, that was the sausage pepperoni etc... now for a Bone Marrow, Quail Egg, and Fig Jam pie. Sounds out of bounds, but I say let's go for it!
The dough is brushed with olive oil and slightly pre-baked.
Then the bone marrow is roasted in the oven, covered, for about 15 mins.
And then the covering is removed and they go in for another 5-10 minutes. And this is all done pretty much to order, or at least 2 orders at a time.
This is one of the coolest pizza related photo I think I own....
The bones are stripped of their marrow and applied to the dough.
Spreading...
Quail eggs, quite obviously.
Back in the oven for a few seconds or so, just to cook them ever so slightly.
Fig jam.
And then, WOWZER!
Honestly, although the thought of this pizza was attractive, the flavors just didn't come through me. The previous pie was better composed, at least for me, but I am an admitted purest when it comes to pizza, burgers, food in general. I do want to counter this with the fact that MANY people were talking about the Bone Marrow pie while we were here, so it's a big hit.
If you ever see these guys or this contraption in your hood, you have to pull over and just check it out. Great pies, friendly conversation, uniquely refreshing food yet familiar at the same time.
Ciao Mario! Ben Fatto!
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