DebºoºS
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 31, 1997
- Messages
- 3,745
One of the highlights from my birthday celebration was lunch at Via Napoli. It was a very hot August day with the sun screaming down.
The heat and humidity from outside quickly evaporated as we waited for a table while listening to my favorite Italian song. "Mambo Italiano"
The first table we were shown to was rocking quite a bit on the tile floor. Really, my water glass was sloshing. I asked if we could be moved to a stable table. The next table over was offered but that was right next to the entrance.
There were plenty of "terrible tables for two" to chose from.
They were very accomodating. The maitre d' divided a table for four for us and finally we settled in to our menus. We were warned food is served when it's ready. It doesn't sit waiting for all to eat together. Serving fresh, hot food is more important than serving everyone at the same time.
This is a view from our table into the larger room.
The ovens are at one end and a large counter/table runs down the center. The layout is very casual with tile floors, booths, mismatched wooden chairs, high ceilings, large windows. Open and airy. I noticed only salt shakers on the table.
At one point Peter asked me what I thought Kevin would say about the room. I'll be curious to hear as well. I thought it was loud. Not in an OHana coconut pushing loud way but people talking, lively music, chairs on tile taverna floor loud.
The menu looked wonderful with a variety of appetizers and entrees to choose from. Initially I thought we would split a large pizza as this was an early lunch but was told that with the Disney dining plan you may not split anything other than individual pizzas using the 1T. The large and 1/2 meter cannot be split. Regular entrees may be split. TIW is now accepted.
We ordered the Pepperoni Pizza and a Calamari Pizza. The kitchen is a huge show kitchen with high ceilings and visible from almost every table.
The wood fired ovens are named Stromboli, Vesuvio & Etna after three volcanoes in Italy.
Here the chef is preparing a large pizza. When brought to the table it's put on a large stand in the center of the table. Cooking stations are all visible and exciting to watch. Especially for a foodie like myself.
We had time to scout for Hidden Mickeys. Found a few!
Our pizzas arrived together and piping hot. Drinks were refreshed quickly and without notice. Our server was very attentive and did more than the 2 sec. check. We ate heartily.
Fried corn crusted calamari, arugula & fennel.
Fresh was the first word that came to mind. The crust was perfect. Crisp on the edge but chewy and thin. I asked that mine be re-cut as it wasn't cut into manageable pieces. They hadn't actually cut the crust it was quartered if that. This proved a little confusing to my server at first but then understood.The sauce reminded me of a NYC pizza sauce but tastier. The calamari was sparse. Took a pic instead of counting.
The pepperoni pizza was delicious.
Spicy pepperoni, tomato & mozzarella. Each bite exploded with flavor.
The heat and humidity from outside quickly evaporated as we waited for a table while listening to my favorite Italian song. "Mambo Italiano"
The first table we were shown to was rocking quite a bit on the tile floor. Really, my water glass was sloshing. I asked if we could be moved to a stable table. The next table over was offered but that was right next to the entrance.
There were plenty of "terrible tables for two" to chose from.
They were very accomodating. The maitre d' divided a table for four for us and finally we settled in to our menus. We were warned food is served when it's ready. It doesn't sit waiting for all to eat together. Serving fresh, hot food is more important than serving everyone at the same time.
This is a view from our table into the larger room.
The ovens are at one end and a large counter/table runs down the center. The layout is very casual with tile floors, booths, mismatched wooden chairs, high ceilings, large windows. Open and airy. I noticed only salt shakers on the table.
At one point Peter asked me what I thought Kevin would say about the room. I'll be curious to hear as well. I thought it was loud. Not in an OHana coconut pushing loud way but people talking, lively music, chairs on tile taverna floor loud.
The menu looked wonderful with a variety of appetizers and entrees to choose from. Initially I thought we would split a large pizza as this was an early lunch but was told that with the Disney dining plan you may not split anything other than individual pizzas using the 1T. The large and 1/2 meter cannot be split. Regular entrees may be split. TIW is now accepted.
We ordered the Pepperoni Pizza and a Calamari Pizza. The kitchen is a huge show kitchen with high ceilings and visible from almost every table.
The wood fired ovens are named Stromboli, Vesuvio & Etna after three volcanoes in Italy.
Here the chef is preparing a large pizza. When brought to the table it's put on a large stand in the center of the table. Cooking stations are all visible and exciting to watch. Especially for a foodie like myself.
We had time to scout for Hidden Mickeys. Found a few!
Our pizzas arrived together and piping hot. Drinks were refreshed quickly and without notice. Our server was very attentive and did more than the 2 sec. check. We ate heartily.
Fried corn crusted calamari, arugula & fennel.
Fresh was the first word that came to mind. The crust was perfect. Crisp on the edge but chewy and thin. I asked that mine be re-cut as it wasn't cut into manageable pieces. They hadn't actually cut the crust it was quartered if that. This proved a little confusing to my server at first but then understood.The sauce reminded me of a NYC pizza sauce but tastier. The calamari was sparse. Took a pic instead of counting.
The pepperoni pizza was delicious.
Spicy pepperoni, tomato & mozzarella. Each bite exploded with flavor.
I'm familiar with the best of NYC pizzas and these were better!
For dessert we ordered Tiramasu and
Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni aka "Ugly but Good"
Tiramisu 8. Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers & chocolate
For dessert we ordered Tiramasu and
Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni aka "Ugly but Good"
Tiramisu 8. Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers & chocolate
"Ugly But Good"
Amarena cherry & vanilla gelato sundae with the "Ugly But Good Cookies"
All incredibly heavenly delicious and not to be missed for 10. Birthdays at Via Napoli are unforgettable
even if it's one you'd rather forget! 60
Servers gather around to sing the Italian happy birthday song!
a special birthday dessert too!
Now it was time to roll ourselves out into the blistery sun and work some of Italy off in the WS.
If I ever have two hours for lunch and $$ for pizza again
I'm right back there!
Hey Mambo, Mambo Italiano...
Thanks so much for sharing, I can't wait for December when I can try this place for the first time!
I brought my camera (Nikon D200) with me to the ladies room which was across both rooms and back by the ovens and kitchen area. On the way I asked if I could take a pic of the ovens and chefs cooking. The rest I just snapped away as I walked. Kinda awkward having a huge camera in the ladies room but I got some good shots so it was worth it. 
