NAPA, CA—This is their motto at Ca’ Momi Enoteca Pizzeria Pasticceria: “Obsessively Autentic Italitan”. I know this to be true as it says so on their business cards. Plus, I do trust my taste buds from time to time.

Don’t expect a full scale Italian Restaurant as Ca’ Momi is located in the trendy Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa, California, USA.

Though you’ll find antique and gift vendors at the Oxbow, it’s primarily a gourmet food collective. A contemporary grouping of high-end stalls dispensing farm fresh fruit, cheese, fish, oysters, cupcakes, Mexican, Italian, and more. You can eat in at tables or counters, to do some extensive people watching, or take out and stake your own claim by spreading a blanket on top of that famous Napa Valley terroir.

For me, simple is best. One Margherita Pizza please - it’s enough for two unless you’re absolutely starving. This place takes pizza very seriously as evidenced by this warning on its menu: Made as per EU and Verace Pizza Napoletana regulations and specifications: “San Marzano DOP tomatoes, Buffalo mozzarella & fresh basil.”

This is a light and airy pizza that won’t make you sick. The menus says that it has a soft “elastic” center and “cannot be crispy”.

I love it just as it is. It’s especially good with a glass of their Italian Moscato.

But here’s a posted warning to American pizza lovers: This eatery “does NOT have chili flakes or Parmesean as condiments since they are not used as such on pizza made in Italy.” Now that’s “authentic” taken to its highest level.

Look at his guy in action. The blazing pizza oven cooks it fast. You won’t have much time to browse the other stalls before eating. 

Should you have belly room afterwards, they have numerous fresh desserts to temp you. The ricotta cheesecake (pictured above - $8 for a hefty slice) looked SO good but I decided to pass. I’m still regretting this decision several days later. I suppose I’ll have to return sooner than I had planned. Otherwise, I’ll go crazy night after night dreaming about how it will taste.

Ca’ Momi is at 610 First Street, Napa, CA 94559. Phone: 707-257-4992. In addition to pizza, they have a more extensive menu with salad, soup, and pasta dishes. Prices are moderate. Quality is high. I hope to explore it further on future visits.