Il Ritrovo In Wisconsin Serves Pizza That’s Certified By Italy

Did you know you can get pizza certified by Italy in Wisconsin? That's right! You don't have to hop aboard a plane to Europe in order to experience authentic Italian cuisine.

In order to protect the culinary history and customs of Italy, the country has a system of verification and control that gives designations verifying the originality of products from the country. The Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana is a group dedicated to protecting and promoting "true Neapolitan pizza." These folks have rules and guidelines that must be followed. When an establishment does that, they are given special designation that shows they meet strict requirements that respect the tradition of the art of Neapolitan pizza making.

There are fewer than 100 spots in the United States that meet these strict guidelines and here in Sheboygan, you can visit a pizzeria that feels straight out of Europe. Il Ritrovo features a wood-fired oven, unique and amazing flavors and a market where you can purchase pretty much every ingredient used in the restaurant.

The pizza here is as fresh as you've ever had. At Il Ritrovo, they say: "Showcasing the best of Italy and our local farmers, we’ve joined the traditional techniques of Italy with the best of seasonal and sustainable ingredients." You'll find locally sourced produce and all kinds of amazing local goodies used here in the specific and exact specifications of official Napoletana pizza.

The wood oven gets up over 500 degrees and puts a delicious char on the pizza will cooking it quickly. This preserves the flavor and freshness of the ingredients.

That means you get a pizza with a bit of crisp on the outside and a good chewy crust on the inside. It's the perfect mix that's then topped simply .

True Napoletana isn't weighed down by scoops of heavy sauce or gobs of cheese. This pizza is meant to showcase the toppings and let them be the star.

You'll find plenty of pizzas here topped with fresh greens as they're pulled from the oven. Peppery arugula and tasty basil enhance the flavors and are warmed by the residual heat of the cooked pizza.

It's a difficult balance to get the perfectly cooked pizza, but luckily these folks have a ton of practice.

Of course the wine list here is superb, as are all the other menu options. You'll find fabulous antipasti to whet your appetite, fresh breads, pastas and more. But you really, really want to come here for the pizza, we promise.

The folks that own Il Ritrovo also own Field to Fork right next door and Trattoria Stefano right across the street.

You'll find wood oven baked bread, imported oils and vinegars, giant cookies, sauces, a meat case and more through the opening next door to Field to Fork. The two restaurants pass through to each other and you'll definitely want to wander and buy some goodies before you head out.

Il Ritrovo strikes the perfect balance of hearty, comforting and filling pizza that we Americans tend to search for and traditional, fresh, flavorful pizzas that are true to the Napoletana roots.

You'll fall in love with the full dining experience at Il Ritrovo and start planning your trip back before you've ever left. It's the kind of meal that sticks with you and you know you'll be thinking about for days to come. It's that good.

Il Ritrovo is located at 515 S 8th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081. Learn about this spectacular restaurant on their website or check out more on their Facebook page.

Have you ever had pizza certified by Italy in Wisconsin? If so, how was it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another amazing restaurant in the Dairy State, nominate it for a chance to be featured.

If you love pizza, you have to check out this Ultimate Wisconsin Pizza Bucket List.