You Have To Try The Nebraska Restaurant Serving Up Pizza Certified By Italy

Editor's Note: Since the publication of this article, Dante Pizzeria Napoletana has permanently closed.

Unless you're involved in the pizza business, you may not realize there's an organization that certifies restaurants which make authentic Neapolitan pizza. The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VERA) seeks to protect the traditional methods used in Neapolitan pizza making, and earning a certification is a pretty big deal for a restaurant. In Nebraska, only one place has earned the honor: Dante Pizzeria Napoletana.

Dante has two locations: the original in West Omaha and the newer addition in the Blackstone District.

The west location is more of a formal, sit-down experience, while the Blackstone location is more of a "fast-fine" experience.

But they have one thing in common: they make pizza in authentic Neapolitan style. That means everything is fresh, made by hand...

...and cooked in this wood-fired oven. The oven reaches 800 degrees, and because of the intense heat the pizzas only need to cook for about 90 seconds.

This method results in a crisp crust and ingredients that are still tender and delicious rather than overcooked.

Those dark spots on the crust are a byproduct of the cooking method, and they add a delicious deep flavor that you won't get at that chain pizza place down the street.

Just about everything that can be handmade in the restaurant is made there, and everything else is imported from Italy or sourced from local farms. The restaurant works with about 25 Nebraska farms to bring its customers the best in fresh, hearty, delicious ingredients.

And that doesn't just go for the pizza. The house-made pasta is so delicious you'll want to throw away all of the boxed stuff in your pantry at home.

Fresh house-made mozzarella, produce that was still on the vine until yesterday, and perfectly balanced seasonings all come together for some creative masterpieces. This bowl of fresh melon topped with mozzarella looks divine.

As incredible as the main dishes are (just look at those scallops!), the sides deserve some love, too. Fire-roasted Brussels sprouts and broccoli will win over even the staunchest of anti-veggie eaters.

Be sure to order dessert - even if you've already eaten too much pizza. The gelato, puddings, cakes, and other treats are, of course, made right there in-house. Have you ever had freshly made gelato? It's an experience everyone should have at least once.

And because no Italian meal would be complete without wine, Dante offers plenty of it. The restaurant is the only one in Omaha with an all-Italian wine list. If you aren't sure what to order, don't worry - the staff will be happy to make recommendations.

Diners with special dietary requirements can order gluten-free crust, and many of the dishes can be made vegetarian or vegan. Although it's not the kind of place that offers delivery, Dante does do event catering.

Visit the original fine-dining location in the Shops of Legacy at 16901 Wright Plaza #173, Omaha, NE 68130.

The fast-fine location is in Blackstone at 3852 Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68130.

Visit Dante's website or Facebook page to learn more about this Italian-certified Neapolitan pizza.

If you visit the Blackstone location, don't miss up the chance to have a second dessert at Coneflower Creamery. It's worth the extra calories, trust us.