Friday, June 19, 2015

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

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:44 AM

    Is this a paid advertisement?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous9:15 AM

    8:44AM You think restaurant reviews are paid ads?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:16 AM

    An expose' on the full menu. How much did they pay you for this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 9:16: There's a lot more on the menu than what is shown here. I was not "paid for this."

      Delete
  4. Anonymous10:31 AM

    This was great to see all of the variety on their menu. I'll be sure to visit next time I'm at the mall.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Steve D.11:40 AM

    It's called reporting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6:17 PM

    So what's the purpose of posting three pictures of the exact same dish?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6:17: They are 3 different photos illustrating what is in the captions. No one is complaining but you, as usual,! troll.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous6:23 PM

    How the heck are the wood-burning ovens "volcano-inspired"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6:23: Each one has a decorative sculpture named for one of the 3 active volcanoes in Italy.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous8:05 AM

    Why not just have one longer caption instead of three separate photos that are essentially the same shot?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous10:19 AM

    9:15 AM - A genuine restaurant review would objectively critique the food, service and all other relevant criteria, noting the shortcomings as well as the strengths.

    This article does none of that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:05 PM

      Dyer is Bethesda's top restaurant critic. Please get familiar with his superb reviews and previews before running your mouth.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous6:16 PM

    Slightly overdone attempt at parody, but still funny.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 8:05: Because I'm the editor, not you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. 10:19: So you would suggest making up shortcomings if there weren't any? That doesn't sound like a "genuine restaurant review" either. This is the only published review of Naples to my knowledge, and I think readers are glad to have the information and photos. I'm not hearing anyone else complaining about having a review of a new Bethesda restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  13. 6:16: Good summation of Hans Riemer's political career so far.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Betsy2:25 AM

    Smart they have the open mall ordering section as well as seated contained section.

    Met on the other hand is hard to notice, up a lot of escalators, Poorly positioned, etc... Feel bad for them. Hope they make it! It's a cool space with a nice HH menu. That and Arclight are often empty. Bad parking lot view too with the big windows!

    ReplyDelete