Naples is more than pizza at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

With the volcano-inspired wood-burning ovens on display, and hot slices coming out of the outside takeaway counter, you might think authentic Neapolitan pizza is the only draw at the new Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria e Bar at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But then remember, "ristorante" precedes "pizzeria" in the establishment's name.

Thinking in those terms, you might not be surprised to find a piece of fresh fish that can stack up to the pizzas here, or a fried dessert that just might make you forget about those beignets you've had elsewhere in DC.

Join me for a taste of Naples, and elevate your expectations for "dinner and a movie" at Westfield's new Dining Terrace and ArcLight Cinemas:

Salumi board

If you're crackers about
cheese, you'll have to try
the blue cheese

This place setting means
business

A refreshing Italian sangria
for summer

Thin slices of melon add a
summer flavor to this Bianca
pizze metro, with prosciutto,
mozzarella, and arugula

If you like fried food or
calamari, try the Frito Misto.
This pairs your favorite fried
squid with a fried
zucchini blossom

They come with a spicy tomato
sauce and a salsa verde for
dipping purposes

A close-up of that sangria.
Was it really in the nineties
outside?

Insalata di Napoli.
This delicious, spicy salad
goes well with any meal at
Naples. Especially if, like
me, you like salads with a
variety of ingredients. There
is a spicy element, but also
a pickled-type flavor as in
a Three Bean Salad

It includes Tri Colore, salami,
prosciutto, artichokes, mushrooms,
peppers, olives, Provolone cheese, dates,
and toasted bread crumbs, mixed in
a red wine vinaigrette

Chitarra is al dente spaghetti with
a mild tomato sauce, but...

...with the bonus reward of a
rich dollop of Stracciatella on top.
That's a rich and creamy cheese
sauce with olive oil and pepper.
This is a must-try

As is the Pesce Spada -
Line-caught, seared swordfish
with Sicilian eggplant caponatina

Enjoy the flavor of the fresh
fish itself...

...or with the two
sauces it is plated with. This
was cooked just right

Vermentino Di Sardegna Argiolas
"Costamolino" 2013 is a
great pairing with the fish:
crisp and light, with a definite
citrus flavor that's lemon-esque
but not sour

I've also got a flute
of Zardetto Rosato Prosecco,
which I highly-recommend. 

Zeppoli di Caterina may look
like beignets or fritters with
chocolate sauce and
whipped cream...

...but when you bite into one, you'll
find that ricotta cheese added to the
dough gives these a rich,
French toast-like flavor that
doesn't even require a sauce

They're great for sharing, but
why not be selfish and get
a Coppa Amarena for yourself?

And a glass of this
Banfi Rosa Regale, which
true to its name combines
hints of cherry and berries
with, yes, rose petals. I couldn't
quite place that last unique element
without looking it up on the internet.
But if you like unusual flavors,
this is one to try - even though I
don't usually get dessert wines
("But when I do...")

Crema gelato, cherries, amaretti
cookies, and shaved chunks of
semi-sweet chocolate 

Zoomed-in Zeppoli.
They're so light,
you can see how the
fork tines deflated it

Heck, why not zoom in on
that chocolate, too? I'd better
get back to the Fitness Center
at The Flats now

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria

e Bar

Westfield Montgomery Mall

7101 Democracy Boulevard

301-365-8300