When renowned Italian chef Federico Alfredo Ambu’s wife Justine declared di Mare’s pizza superior to her husband’s legendary creations, you knew something extraordinary was happening in Uluwatu. To be fair, Federico, who is widely acknowledged as Bali’s leading pizza chef, was actually the creative consultant behind said pie. But the controversial declaration also speaks volumes about the authentic Aurora pizza oven now blazing at the heart of di Mare – as part of its transformation into an authentic Italian comfort-dining masterpiece.
This handcrafted marvel, built on site over six days by a specialist Sardinian artisan, represents more than culinary equipment—it’s a portal to Italy’s gastronomic soul. At 410 degrees Celsius, the oven delivers perfect Neapolitan pizzas in three minutes, powered by flames that dance around dough born from 14-year-old mother yeast, gifted by Federico himself when he spent five days training di Mare’s team.
The transformation extends beyond mere pizza. di Mare has evolved into a beacon of Italian home cooking in Uluwatu, where sourdough bases marry Italian flour with high-protein varieties through a meticulous two-day process. Thursday’s Giro Beatzza events showcase this evolution perfectly—an Italian DJ spinning beats and pizzas simultaneously, creating sold-out experiences that end with signature cast iron chocolate chip cookies crowned with vanilla gelato.
Customisable focaccia emerges hot from the same flames, topped with everything from sea salt to Italian anchovies. Forget fusion, this is a passionate Italian home-style tradition taking root in Balinese soil, one perfectly charred crust at a time.
