Via Napoli question

[ps17]

Does Via Napoli have good non-pizza food for adults? Also does it have good non-fancy pizza of the type likely to be liked by the young kids?

 

[CraigInPA]

Went there with a party of 6 in February. Only one person chose pizza. Everyone else went for a traditional entree. Except for the odd decision to include tuscan style potatoes with veal paragiana, I believe everyone felt that their meal was pretty darn good. Coming from an Italian family, and having a large selection of Italian restaurants nearby, I think that would be considered "high praise" for a Disney restaurant.

The person who chose the pizza immediately noted that it was a wood oven, not a traditional coal oven. Coal ovens burn hotter, and the pizza is a bit more seared, with nice burnt corners of dough and darkened carmelized cheese. This pizza dough was made with hard water, which was evident in its near perfect firm and only slightly chewy texture. What a relief from the soft and bubblegum-like texture of the rest of Disney's pizza offerings made with Florida soft water! People who like coal oven pizza will think the pizza is a little under-done. People who have pizza made in metal pizza ovens at the corner pizza shop will probably consider the pizza to be burnt, because there's a little sear on the bottom crust and around the edges. When asked whether it's kid friendly, I think the real question is it like what your child is used to? Probably not, unless you buy brick oven pizza from a pizza shop. If you're used to frozen pizza, you'll find this noticeably less sweet and the dough has a completely different texture and actually has a taste.

 

[Diz Kids]

We only ordered pizza, so I cannot answer the first question, but they do offer plain cheese or cheese & pepperoni pizza's. it is all the same style, with a wafer thin crust and lighter sauce. My kids 8, 7 & 5 absolutely loved it(and so did I).

 

[jennylyn_b]

The kids pizza is a small version of the adult pizza. Same dough and ingredients. We love the pizza with its char. Yum!

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

The chicken parm is huge and yummy!!! We all loved it!!!

Laurie

 

[alex9179]

We didn't try the entrees.

With the kids we ordered the giant Metro Mezzo 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 4 cheese. The kids (8,7,5) DEVOURED both kinds and wanted us to order more! It was their favorite restaurant.

We weren't on DDP.

 

[goofyintoronto]

The candele pasta (kinda like a lasagna but with pasta) is TO DIE FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! DS13 had the fetuccini alfredo and loved it.

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

Via has lots of great options for adults and it isnt frufru fancy. I especially love the dark cherry sundae for dessert...save room for some!

 

[aml3679]

We ate there tonight. I had the chicken Parmesan ... Good but a little dry. My husband had a pizza which was outstanding.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

My wife had the chicken parm, my daughter had the eggplant, and my young kids had pizza. Everyone loved their meals.

 

[HorizonsRIP]

Coal oven traditional? Maybe if the restaurant was called Via Brooklyn...but in Naples wood is traditional and always has been. As for coal burning hotter...it depends on the oven. The Napolitano oven gets to like 900 degrees

Went there with a party of 6 in February. Only one person chose pizza. Everyone else went for a traditional entree. Except for the odd decision to include tuscan style potatoes with veal paragiana, I believe everyone felt that their meal was pretty darn good. Coming from an Italian family, and having a large selection of Italian restaurants nearby, I think that would be considered "high praise" for a Disney restaurant.

The person who chose the pizza immediately noted that it was a wood oven, not a traditional coal oven. Coal ovens burn hotter, and the pizza is a bit more seared, with nice burnt corners of dough and darkened carmelized cheese. This pizza dough was made with hard water, which was evident in its near perfect firm and only slightly chewy texture. What a relief from the soft and bubblegum-like texture of the rest of Disney's pizza offerings made with Florida soft water! People who like coal oven pizza will think the pizza is a little under-done. People who have pizza made in metal pizza ovens at the corner pizza shop will probably consider the pizza to be burnt, because there's a little sear on the bottom crust and around the edges. When asked whether it's kid friendly, I think the real question is it like what your child is used to? Probably not, unless you buy brick oven pizza from a pizza shop. If you're used to frozen pizza, you'll find this noticeably less sweet and the dough has a completely different texture and actually has a taste.

 

[TDC Nala]

I heard awhile back that they started cooking it underdone because they got too many complaints from guests that their pizza was "burnt."

If you're looking for Domino's or Pizza Hut type pizza, the only time you'll find that is when the outside pizza window is open and selling thick-crust Sicilian slices.

 

[sturowski]

Pizza was great and salad.. The kids got pasta off the kids menu and loved it but we did not try an adult non pizza item..

 

[HorizonsRIP]

I heard awhile back that they started cooking it underdone because they got too many complaints from guests that their pizza was "burnt."

If you're looking for Domino's or Pizza Hut type pizza, the only time you'll find that is when the outside pizza window is open and selling thick-crust Sicilian slices.

That's a shame but not a surprise. Chalk another one up to wdw appealing to the lowest common denominator

 

[untitan]

My wife had the chicken parm, my daughter had the eggplant, and my young kids had pizza. Everyone loved their meals.

Thanks for the review. Going in February and will probably try the chicken parm and pizza.

 

[untitan]

Went there with a party of 6 in February. Only one person chose pizza. Everyone else went for a traditional entree. Except for the odd decision to include tuscan style potatoes with veal paragiana, I believe everyone felt that their meal was pretty darn good. Coming from an Italian family, and having a large selection of Italian restaurants nearby, I think that would be considered "high praise" for a Disney restaurant.

The person who chose the pizza immediately noted that it was a wood oven, not a traditional coal oven. Coal ovens burn hotter, and the pizza is a bit more seared, with nice burnt corners of dough and darkened carmelized cheese. This pizza dough was made with hard water, which was evident in its near perfect firm and only slightly chewy texture. What a relief from the soft and bubblegum-like texture of the rest of Disney's pizza offerings made with Florida soft water! People who like coal oven pizza will think the pizza is a little under-done. People who have pizza made in metal pizza ovens at the corner pizza shop will probably consider the pizza to be burnt, because there's a little sear on the bottom crust and around the edges. When asked whether it's kid friendly, I think the real question is it like what your child is used to? Probably not, unless you buy brick oven pizza from a pizza shop. If you're used to frozen pizza, you'll find this noticeably less sweet and the dough has a completely different texture and actually has a taste.

I feel crust-educated now. Thanks for the detail.

 

[PoohsFan1]

The chicken parm is huge and yummy!!! We all loved it!!!

Laurie

DH had that on our last trip and loved it while I had some sort of pizza (had artichokes and a white sauce, don't know the name of it but I really wasn't into it that much but the waitress insisted that I would like it). I had a bite of his entree and wished I had gotten that one instead....when we go in May, if I don't get a traditional pizza with a red sauce, then I will be getting the chicken parm .

 

[sonofanarchy]

I thought the chicken parm was great the first time I had it. The 2nd time, it was very sub-par (at best).

The pizza however, is the best I've ever had in my life!

 

[CanadianPaco]

How is the salad? Like a side house salad?

 

[Jennasis]

Born and raised on Long Island (land of outstanding pizza) but now living in the barren pizza wasteland that is North Carolina...

I thought the pies were OUT OF THIS WORLD! Though I could have just been so "starved" for decent pizza that I was blinded by anything remotely tasty.

To give you an idea of how the pizza is here in NC, I once called the local place and ordered a "large pie with pepperoni"...there was a pause, and then the girl on the other end twanged back at me all confused "Um ma'am, we don't sell pies here."

As for the regular entrees...haven't tried them yet but have heard good things. Would love to try the candele. Though we did have the arancini appetizer. MMMmmmmmm!