Ingredient appreciation — what makes Pizza Margherita special

What sets Pizza Margherita apart is the handling of San Marzano tomatoes. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the fresh and herbal result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

Italian cooking is intensely regional with little crossover between provinces. The a Sunday ragu lunch atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had sparkling mineral water as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Pizza Margherita is the place to start.