[looneycat]

Originally Posted by applesoffh

We went on opening night as a party of 4 and the place was packed. Food is excellent, portions are generous, prices not for those used to paying Olive Garden or Carrabba's rates. Service was pretty awful, but I would expect it to get better as time goes on. It's just opened! Love Chefs of Napoli 2 and will definitely go back to Chefs of Napoli 3 once they get the service kinks straightened out. This is the best Southern Italian-style food anywhere in TV, IMHO. Coming from NYC (and being of Italian heritage) this food is close to home in flavor. No complaints about the food or the price. You get what you pay for! Just hope the service improves...it couldn't get much worse.

arrived there at 6:15 finally seated after 45 minutes despite the fact that they had already seated two large groups that arrived after us (we asked about reservations and they said they don't take them?) we ordered and waited, and waited, and waited. At 8:30 we informed our waitress that after waiting this long, we no longer wanted our food, she said she would bring the manager over....we waited....suddenly he shows up with our food as if in the nick of time..we informed him that at this point we were leaving...he launches into a tirade about how its busy, its cooked to order and YOU PEOPLE (villagers) don't know what its like to work hard. At that point I loudly called him the sphincter aperture (not in those words) that he is and schooled him on how hard life can be for others that don'cook for a living. I am not proud of my rather loud response
but stand by it and will never patronize this or any other of their restaurants. Honestly if thats the way he feels about his customers let him sink!
To be fair, the food was OK, not special and certainly not what I expected from a 'chef' who acted so affected, ho hum.

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by bettymg1866

SERIOUSLY?? you gave them 3 days to be Perfect??? wow...shame on you. I am from NYC and have eaten in some of the best italian restaurants.... this is par to some of them... Nice portions, fresh salad and Fantastic bread... sauce was as good as my old Italian aunt... YUMMY!! Chef Napoli. You are THE best italian restaurant in the Villages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Order a piece of the Lemoncello cake!!! Fantastic!!!!

I too am from NYC and had better food from my local pizza shop in the bronx. They have 2 other places and should have this down before the doors opened for the first day, the only decent spot was the bread, how sad!

[CFrance]

Have they stopped taking reservations?

[borjo]

We ate there last night and had a delightful experience.
Although we had about a 40' wait at 4:30, as soon as we got our seats, within the minute, bread and the most wonderful olive oil dipping sauce was on our table. The moderate prices, $15 and up, the huge selection and charming decor made for an enjoyable evening. The best part was the taste of the food, outstanding lasagna and spaghetti! Do allow for a 2 hour slot of your life so you may enjoy the evening to it's fullest.

[JeffBorn]

My wife and I went to this restaurant at 8pm November 3rd and were seated immediately. We were going to split the Chicken Parm (my bar for Italian) and order and extra Ceaser salad. We were offered to have the kitchen split the plate with an extra salad for $2, no brainer. The Parm was exceptional, the bread some of the best dense crusty Italian bread around. We were very impressed and I've eaten in Little Italy, NY, Little Italy Baltimore (Sabatinos best CP) and Chef Volas Atlantic City. These folks are doing a fine job. We were so impressed, we ordered a Pizza to go the next night, Unfortunately not quite so good an experience, probably much better dining in. PS we are fans of Ricciardi's who has excellent Bolognese. Grazzi

[rubicon]

You could click on to Restaurant Discussions going back years and the only thing you will read that is different is the restaurant's name; otherwise the comments will all be up or down as to food, service, cleanliness, prices.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rubicon

You could click on to Restaurant Discussions going back years and the only thing you will read that is different is the restaurant's name; otherwise the comments will all be up or down as to food, service, cleanliness, prices.

I agree the blasting of new restaurants on TOTV is a waste of time. I just go and form my own opinion.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I agree the blasting of new restaurants on TOTV is a waste of time. I just go and form my own opinion.

Bogie, You're right. Unless you read negative after negative with no positive reviews, all are rendered useless. Apparently, expectations and tastes vary so greatly that restaurants here just have to roll the dice.

But one thing you can count on, if you get slow service, the culprit is likely to be those two three 12-tops in front of you. Groups like that kill the kitchen.

I just can't see the point in more than three couples dining together. More than that, your service is awkward and you can't talk to anyone at the other end of the table anyway.

[llaran]

We were there last night at 7:45pm and were told 15 to 20 minutes, went to the bar, could not order a drink because " I have to clear these table orders first" after 45 mins we left.
menu prices seem a little high.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I agree the blasting of new restaurants on TOTV is a waste of time. I just go and form my own opinion.

This thread is another example of why TV doesn't have the better restaurants opening. People want quality, at bargain basement prices.

You can't expect a new restaurant to run like a well oiled machine. Just like when a new popular movie premiers and complaining the movie house, is full of patrons. Why not just wait for several weeks to go by, and then form your opinion. If the service is slow and the food stinks, then you have the right to complain. IMHO

Some things don't change and I will try this restaurant in the near future as it has been opened for a while and should have resolved, most of these problems. Mother and father ran a luncheonette and it always amazed me, that some people expect the same quality as if they were eating at home, or their mom cooked the meal. A little unrealistic!!! I tend to give a restaurant more than one try, as the cook could have had a bad night. IMHO

[Yorio]

Didn't go on opening day. Reserved 10 days later. Since then have been there four times more. This place comes closest to the trattoria of Italy. Food is great. If you want well done noodles, don't recommend here. Go to Carraba's. If you like your pasta al dente, go here. Good food comes with extra care as Slow Food Society of Italy will attest. If you want fast service, I wouldn't recommend here. Am very happy this restaurant opened near The Villages. Check out the Olive oil which comes with bread. Can't find it anywhere else. Very tasty. Take a look at the wine selection. Bottle charge quite reasonable and selection quite good. Lemonchello cake is out of this world, European taste. Praying they will succeed. As far as I am concerned this is the Italian restaurant around here. I reviewed four times in Village Gourmet Review Section if you want to know further.

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Bogie, You're right. Unless you read negative after negative with no positive reviews, all are rendered useless. Apparently, expectations and tastes vary so greatly that restaurants here just have to roll the dice.

But one thing you can count on, if you get slow service, the culprit is likely to be those two three 12-tops in front of you. Groups like that kill the kitchen.

I just can't see the point in more than three couples dining together. More than that, your service is awkward and you can't talk to anyone at the other end of the table anyway.

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by Yorio

Didn't go on opening day. Reserved 10 days later. Since then have been there four times more. This place comes closest to the trattoria of Italy. Food is great. If you want well done noodles, don't recommend here. Go to Carraba's. If you like your pasta al dente, go here. Good food comes with extra care as Slow Food Society of Italy will attest. If you want fast service, I wouldn't recommend here. Am very happy this restaurant opened near The Villages. Check out the Olive oil which comes with bread. Can't find it anywhere else. Very tasty. Take a look at the wine selection. Bottle charge quite reasonable and selection quite good. Lemonchello cake is out of this world, European taste. Praying they will succeed. As far as I am concerned this is the Italian restaurant around here. I reviewed four times in Village Gourmet Review Section if you want to know further.

Absolutely AGREE!!!! OMG yes the Lemonchello cake is to die for!

[sharonga]

Loved the food at Napolis. Just like good Brooklyn Italian food. A little more expensive than the chain food restaurants but at least you get REAL food. We also went the first week it opened, during the week, about 4:00. Excellent service, cook came over and introduced himself. Best meal in the 2 1/2 years we are living here.

[Jdmiata]

Had lunch there on Thursday. My measure of an Italian restaurant is the tomato sauce. Theirs was excellent. I'll be back often.