Charlotte’s Top Dining Destinations: Aliño Pizzeria
The Owner: Michal Bay
Michal Bay has become something of a local legend in Mooresville. One favorite story is how he was fishing on Lake Como in Italy when he got a call about an old mill complex for sale. “Where is Mooresville?” he asked. “Texas?” He looked it up on Google Earth and decided to make an offer, even though the mill buildings were in rough shape. That was the start of Bay’s Merino Mill complex, now home to Merinos Home Furnishings, Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery, and Aliño Pizzeria. Bay opened Aliño because he couldn’t find authentic Neapolitan pizza here. He took numerous trips to Italy—or “pizza study and learning tours,” as he calls them—to discover the best preparation techniques and vendors. The Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce has honored Bay for his contributions to the community. His latest project: adding 5,000 solar panels to the roof at Merino Mill to harness renewable energy. He also plans to open Aliño Pizzerias in South Carolina and Georgia.
The Look: Warm Welcome
Aliño has become a community gathering spot in the year since its opening, and one reason why is its welcoming atmosphere. The Aliño space was once part of the old Burlington Mill on Main Street in Mooresville. After the mill languished unoccupied for years, Aliño owner Michal Bay brought it back to life. The mill’s beautiful old red brick walls frame the space. Long community tables provide seating for family and friends, and encourage diners to get to know each other (sometimes over a European soccer game on TV). Italian phrases and flags dotting the walls, and Italian arias in the background, help make Aliño “a typical Italian corner in Mooresville,” Bay says. In nice weather, diners enjoy their meals on the patio, with its colorful bikes and lush greenery. By the way, if there’s a line extending out the door, don’t worry—it moves quickly because the pizzas cook so fast.
The Dish: Italian Specialty
“The best pizza I’ve had anywhere—Italy included.” That’s how one reviewer described Aliño’s classic Neapolitan pizzas. Aliño imports its signature ingredients from Italy every week, from the huge bags of Antico Molino Caputo flour that line the pizzeria walls, to the cheese, olive oil, and Citterio pepperoni, to the sausage, made by an Italian family who lives north of Milan. The high-heat ovens are imported from Italy, too. They cook pizzas at 800 degrees, which means every pie is ready less than two minutes after it goes in the oven. Popular choices range from the Margherita, with housemade tomato sauce from San Marzano tomatoes, freshly prepared Buffalo Mozzarella, and fresh basil, to the Diavola, featuring spicy Italian salami and Calabria peppers. (Check out the condiment bar for fresh herbs and other toppings.) Add an international bottled beer and for dessert, think gelato or cannoli with crushed pistachios and cinnamon.
Aliño Pizzeria: 500 South Main St., Mooresville.
This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 9:10 PM.