Napoli Pizza and Pasta has done it again, with its new, second location in Long Island City. Located on 36th Avenue, just at the foot of the Roosevelt Island Bridge, Napoli opened just three weeks ago to the delight of the folks in the neighborhood. Partners Antonio Petito and cousin Jerry use their family’s own recipes from Southern Italy to replicate the success of the original Napoli in Astoria. Indeed, the tradition of good, home style Southern Italian cooking continues in LIC and the community has responded very favorably to Napoli, the only restaurant of its kind in the area. Best of all, the prices are so low, the whole family can enjoy a meal out or in, with free delivery.
Even the first heat wave of the summer couldn’t keep customers away from Napoli’s delicious pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches. We started with a cool Caprese salad composed of buttery mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, red onion, and greens with balsamic dressing ($6.95). The classic Caesar salad or antipasto salad, with slices of salami, provolone and roasted peppers can be shared as a first
course. Antipasti include tender, crisp fried calamari rings with zesty marinara sauce for dipping ($6.95). Kids love the hand-cut mozzarella sticks and zucchini sticks, but one of my favorites is the eggplant rollatini appetizer, famous for its fluffy ricotta filling.
It all started with pizza and Napoli continues to make extraordinary pizza with a light, crispy crust and all your favorite toppings. The Casalingha is topped with mozzarella, fresh eggplant and tomato while the pizza primavera is loaded with fresh broccoli, tomatoes and peppers. Grandma’s pizza is a roughly made square pizza topped with hand crushed tomatoes, garlic and special seasonings. Most of these pizzas are available by the slice from $2 to $3.00 or whole from $12. Also popular are their hot hero sandwiches which make an excellent lunch or dinner. Meatball parmigiana is one of the most popular varieties thanks to the family recipe meatballs and sauce, piled high on fresh Italian bread and heated until the mozzarella is perfectly melted ($5.50). Chicken cutlet Milanese, Shrimp Parmigiana, and sausage, peppers and onions are some other choices, along with calzones and pizza rolls on display behind glass.
Full entrées are available here at Napoli Long Island City using only the freshest ingredients and all made on the spot. Pasta, pasta, pasta…my favorite food and Napoli makes it easy to choose your favorite pasta and combine it with your favorite sauce, with generous helpings starting at just $5.50. Linguine with clams (vongole) is prepared with red or white wine, lots of garlic and sweet, juicy clams. Our spaghetti with broccoli, garlic and oil was just great and we soaked up the delicious sauce with warm, crusty bread. Penne alla vodka gets its wonderful texture from chopped tomatoes and a touch of cream, while spaghetti Puttanesca adds flavor with capers, olives
and red pepper flakes. Baked pasta dishes such as manicotti, lasagna, stuffed shells and baked ziti are perfect crowd pleasers. In fact, Napoli does expert catering so leave the menu to them when you plan your next party.
Our chicken francese was fork-tender and gently sautéed with a buttery lemon sauce ($8.95). Veal or chicken parmigiana make hearty entrees, served with either a pasta side dish or a house salad. Chicken marsala is sautéed with a touch of sweet marsala wine, garlic and mushrooms. Plump shrimp are used for the scampi and shrimp parmigiana. Of course, veal and chicken parmigiana are served as entrees, layered with buttery mozzarella and zesty sauce.
Finish your meal with a slice of the family recipe, house made Italian cheesecake, made with fluffy ricotta cheese. Even on such a hot night, this was a light, cool and delicious dessert, sprinkled with powdered sugar. The homemade zeppoles dusted with sugar are also popular, as are the cannolis and cool tartufo ice cream dessert. Rich espresso and cappuccinos are steamed up on the spot for you.
Napoli LIC is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and snacks. Free delivery is available in the area, including Roosevelt Island! Consider Napoli’s excellent catering for your next family or business event and leave the cooking to them. Tanti auguri Napoli Long Island City!
10-01 36th Avenue, Long Island City
718.626.6300 • Fax: 718.626.6301
