Trattoria al Forno vs Via Napoli

[mmccutche]

Coming up to 180 day reservation time... Haven't been to either restaurant (TAF or VN) and want a suggestion for first experience with the family. Thanks in advance

 

[mickeygirl78]

I've never been to Via Napoli however I highly recommend Trattoria al Forno. We dined here for the first time on 9/16. There were 7 of us and all of us loved it. It was so good that we ended up making a reservation for 9/23 (we were there two weeks). Our server (Dale) was beyond fabulous. He was very informative of the menu and restaurant. The food itself was amazing. The two men in our party got the lamb. Neither had planned on getting this until Dale recommended it. They said it was cooked perfectly and delicious. Two others had pizzas as their meals, very good. I had the chicken parmesan, it was very crispy and had an excellent flavor. My mom had the pork chop she said it was excellent. My niece had the childs pizza, she was very happy (the childs pizza is half a regular pizza, the perfect size for her). Most of us got the signature dessert, again very good! The second trip the new food items we got were the braised beef and the t-bone. The tbone was so tender, cooked perfectly. The braised beef was also very good. I would go back here anytime. In fact, my whole party couldn't believe it was only one TS credit because it was that good.

 

[AshClan]

I have been to both. I prefer Via Napoli, but it depends a bit on what you want. Either is good for families. Via Napoli is LOUD, but I feel like the theming is more authentic, and their pizza is phenomenal. Trattoria al Forno is more like the Italian restaurants I can go to at home. However, I will also say that TaF has a more extensive menu. If you want pizza, go to VN, but if you want a wider selection, I think I'd say TaF may be a better bet. I got the braised beef at TaF and found it exceedingly salty. My husband liked the Chicken Parm, and I believe I enjoyed my second meal there more...lasagna maybe? At VN, other than pizza, the candele pasta dish is wonderful, but we have had a couple of other things (chicken parm, for one) that weren't that great.

 

[EvilQueenT]

I think you'll like either but I'd ask yourself what type of experience you're looking for, are you wanting a good meal but not take a lot of time out of the park time, and are the kids at a stage where sit down is something you want to drag out or not. We've done both several times. I think Via Napoli is a little more kid friendly. It's loud and a faster pace meal. I've had pizza there and it was fine. My granddaughter likes their spaghetti and meatballs. I like the food a lot more at TaF. I've personally had (or tasted)the truffle cream pizza flat bread 4 of us shared as an appetizer (soooo good my mouth is watering now), the giant meatball over manicotti, the shrimp over polenta, and the beef bolognaise and they were all really good. Portions were really big. The atmosphere is more upscale than Via Napoli and it's a slower pace meal and a bit more expensive too.

 

[johnnyblz20]

Via Napoli for sure! Was disappointed with Trattoria al Forno. You can get better and cheaper italian food at Olive Garden. Via Napoli has amazing pizza that does taste like authentic NYC style pizza and a cool atmosphere to us.