Naples Ristorante & Pizzeria   

200 Park Ave
New York, NY 10166
212-972-7001
www.rapatina.com/naples45

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Somewhere between a slice joint like John's and a Venetian palace like Batali's Del Posto is Naples 45. The first floor of the Met Life Building is not the first location you'd think of to try authentic Southern Italian cuisine, but that's exactly where this casual and expansive restaurant rests. Neither covered in cliched checkered table cloths nor burdened with pretentious dishes people only pretend to like, the eatery's simplicity starts with its design -- arched ceilings, white tiles, a colorful floor and plain wooden booths. Three wood-burning ovens cook the signature Pagnotelle (pizza bread sandwiches) and thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas, which are available in full pies or mezzo metro (half-meter) and with toppings like fennel, sausage and prosciutto. Along with the usual pastas and salads, sink into such specialties as swordfish paillard or market-fresh poached fish filet. Another surprise is a breakfast menu, with everything fresh from croissants to Naples eggs. An outdoor patio and long bar (with draft beer) really open the place up, spatially and socially, making it much more than an executive lunch stopover.