Naples 45
200 Park Avenue
MetLife Building
New York, NY 10166 (212) 972-7001
- Nearest Transit:
Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S)
42nd St-5th Ave-6th Ave (7, B, D, F, V)
Lexington-3rd Aves-51st St (6, E, V)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Full Bar
26 Reviews for Naples 45
I've never been crazy about the pizza here. Like that it's not greasy but there aren't enough toppings and the crust is dry. The salads are just okay.
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The word "eh" really sums this place up. When I worked across the street we would go here often mostly because it was easy. And it was fine. This neighborhood is kind of lacking in nice but not too expensive places to go, so its a reasonable choice, but nothing to get excited about.
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Call me crazy but even as a New Yorker I am a firm believer that thin crust pizza is inferior in comparison to Sicilian. Much of this is because I grew up on homemade crusty, crunchy imported provolone smothered pizza. I could eat it whereever, whenever, and not a single thin crust NYC pizza can compare (hold on just a moment, I will be eating my words, quite literally).
So the day my boss asked me to order 5 pizzas from Naples 45 I begrugingly did so. We ordered the Margherita (plain), Ortolano (veggie), Pepperoni, and Piccante (chicken sausage).
He urged me to try some and because my silly self forgot my packed lunch in my fridge at home and didn't really care to spend the extra cash on another one, I went for it.
It is pretty damn good, all in all. The little old man who delivers is so sweet and soft spoken. I'd like to think whomever made the pizzas has the same demeanor.
Now--the food-- the sauce was slightly salty, slightly sweet and not pasty (ie: yucky) at all. The crust, though ridiuclously thin (I hate folding my pizza when I eat it; I want an ample mouthful of bread with my toppings) was well seasoned and flavorful. The toppings (I had the Ortolano,) are fresh and you can tell they are with each bite. I ate my in a lady like manner (read: inhaled it). and would very much enjoy ordering from Naples 45 again. Downside? 80-something-bucks for 4 pizzas that my momma could make (and she'd do it better) for free!
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Mediocre food and horribly slow service. Food and service quality are important, and if both of these aspects to dining are subpar, then there really isn't much more to discuss. If anyone ever asked me, "hey, how was Naples 45," I'd respond by saying, "been there, done that...next!"
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Naples 45 is a good place to have a business lunch or dinner. I've been here several times with my father, who works nearby, and the food is always good. The signature pizza dishes are great, as is the bread. The service isn't wonderful, but it doesn't detract too much from the overall experience.
I went for a business lunch. Besides the crappy salad, I enjoyed my meal... but it's definitley not worth the price. I started with a Caesar Salad and it was pretty lame. It seemed like Italian dressing over some sad looking Romaine Lettuce. If they are gonna charge $8 at least use some real Caesar dressing and maybe add some more parmagian shavings.
I had the Rigatoni dish with sausage and porcini mushrooms. I enjoyed the dish although the pasta was just a bit too al dente for my taste. It could have cooked for a tiny bit more. Again, not even close to the $17-$18 price tag attached.
I hate to sound like a cheapskate, but with everything else overprices as it is, the least they could do is not charge for a refill of coke. Is it really necessary to charge $3.00 for each glass?
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My second favorite pizza place in the city behind Una Pizza Napoletana.
The menu has pizza, pasta, and some meat entrees, but don't waste your time with anything else. The pizza is the main attraction here. Cooked perfectly in their wood burning oven with great sauce and delicious hand-made mozzarella. I liked the margherita pizza, but the prosciutto with arugula pizza was also good.
The service was a little slow and the ambiance was nothing special, so I give this place four stars instead of five.
Review for take-out only.
My company ordered from here for lunch today. I am not a fan of thin crust pizza, but I have to say I really liked the pizza here. We had the veggie, a chicken sausage, and the margherita. The chicken sausage was extremely flavorful. Each pizza could have used some more toppings, but I guess they like to keep it simple. The two hits were the veggie and chicken sausage. Also, I loved how the pizzas weren't too greasy, so you didn't feel disgusting after the meail. We also had two salads that were pretty good. I would definitely try this place again.
This isn't one of those family Italian restaurants with Brooklyn-style pie and chicken parm. On the other hand, it doesn't claim to be.
This is a pretty good straight-to-your-plate-by-way-of-Italy place where the pizza pies are genuinely Italian. Don't get me wrong - I love me a slice of greasy-but-so-damn-delicious Brooklyn style pie, but I appreciate the variety every so often.
The salads here are good - nice & big portions, perfect for splitting. The pasta fagiole is also very good here. It's right across the street from my work, so I tend to be here anytime there is a corporate event for my company. Carnivores, vegans, and all people of various nationalities seem to come out happy. Or maybe they are faking it in front of my boss... who knows...
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The only thing I've ever had here was pizza and it's one of the best I've ever had. I'll put Naples 45 up there against any of the best pizza places in the city (or BK or wherever). Love the fungi pizza which is just fresh mozzarella and mushrooms. You can't go wrong with their pizza, however, it is definitely a little pricey.
The place would get 5 stars if the rating was on pizza and calamari alone...but I'm also taking into consideration the horrible service and horrible ceaser salad. Pizza and calamari are really good...pizza is comparable to that of Italy. Calamari are crispy but not rubber-y. The service is some of the worse service I have ever experienced. All the orders were wrong, somehow only a few of us got to order at a time and then the waiter would disappear and come back to get some other orders. How about drinks, appetizers, entrees all in one. In addition, the ceaser salad that I got with grilled shrimps...a HUGE bucket of lettuce and 4 grilled shrimps. MIND YOU the shrimps were an add'l $6. Not worth it. I will come back for the pizza...maybe they have self service...
The service at Naples was great! We were seated in a few minutes and the waiter was enthusiastic about the daily specials. Refreshments came promptly and the meal was served without pretense.
I personally was there with my boss to talk about raises, promotions, and all that jazz, but I could easily see this as an equally great venue for friends to go and hang out. Check it out if you are in midtown!
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This is purely an after work bar for me. The service is good, the free pizza etc. at happy hour is tastey, and they pour my rusty nail strong.
Not sure I would frequent this place other than for happy hour.
Do yourself a favor and go here between 2PM and 8PM when the slices are $1.50 (make sure you go to the takeout section, not the deliriously overpriced restaraunt). Hopefully they've brought out a fresh pie- if they did focus on that. The pepperoni is real nice- thick slices of pepperoni. Also be on the lookout for the ham with the mix of cheeses. It's a pretty good pizza...crust is perfectly charred. The fresh mozz is sweet and the sauce is pretty good. No one else is gonna come this close at $1.50 a slice.
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I have to agree with Lindsay. Absolute crap lasagna, and pizza is mediocre relative to the other boutique pizza joints in the city. For a good slice I'd recommend Pinch, Lombardi'sor in the very least Patsy's.
The lasagna was actually 18.50 not 20, but it's still an absurd price for a small portion of poor lasagna.
Ginger ale rating: 8
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Although I eat at Naples seldomly, it's not because of the pizza. My pizza palate longs for the mom and pop shop; the gourmet style of little sauce and lots of cheese doesn't work for me. Otherwise, this place is great.
Lunch options include a short list of pastas and appetizers. The only item I think is strange are the meatballs... they are sweet.
I went to dinner on Wednesday with a few colleagues. We ordered an Italian Pinot Noir which was nominal; I didn't like the stemless glass tumblers in which the wine was served (imagine me sipping wine with my pinky up). We voracious ate the bread and EVOO which was supplied to us. We ordered calamari as an appetizer and steaks for entrees (rib eye, NY sirloin and the filet mignon, which was a new item on the menu - see uploaded pictures). I can not say anything bad about my meat.
It was another enjoyable dining experience.
May 2008 UPDATE:
Delmonico (rib eye) and NY Strip steaks are still on the menu. Too bad they took off the filet mignon. I've eaten all three and are surprisingly great (considering this is a pizza/pasta place).
IFHTP 3+
I really want to give one star... but I didn't try the pizza.
The prices are sky-high, of course. Naples 45 is Park Ave and filled with suits and skirts. But still... People actually pay nearly $20 for a slice of inauthentic lasagna for lunch? Fuck off!
My cesar salad was very good, but the tiny croutons tasted mildly chewy and stale. I can't believe my friend paid $20 for a pasta special consisting of linguini and some rubbery caimari. The bread and oil was subpar, too!
Like I said... I'd rather give two stars. Even the waiter looked like he wanted to be somewhere else...
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My boss took the 6 of us in our office here around the holiday season for breakfast. I'm not a breakfast person so I was afraid that there would only be eggs and I would have to order everything I wanted as a side as I normally do (I'll have a side of bacon, side of toast, side of home fries, thanks). But, they have a great yogurt/granola/fruit serving available. Seems like a big spot to take a group of 6-10 as well if you work in the area.
The decor is a bit wierd.
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BEST LASAGNA EVER!
I first had tried Napls 45 at my office down the street actually for a meeting that they catered. First off, if you're planning a business luncheon or meeting, this place is GREAT for catering. Why settle for the same old deli sandwiches when Naples 45 can deliver tubs of manicotti, lasagna, those off-the-hook garlic bread rolls and canolis?
Anyways, I HAD to go back for more lasagna, so I convinced my friend to come with me for dinner. We loved it, the pizza there is also very good, but I highly recommend the lasagna, it's not overly meaty and it just melts in your mouth.
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I think Naples 45 has the best slice of pizza in Manhattan, and it's even one of the few pizza places in the US that has an official "Attesta" certificate of authenticity from the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. All the ingredients are high quality and authentic, including fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh basil. The crust is perfect. But for some reason - probably the corporate feel and the midtown location in a big office building (Metlife) - Naples 45 doesn't get a lot of mention or appreciation from foodies. OK, so it isn't hip or charming, but the taste of their pizza is the closest thing I've found in NYC to my all-time favorite pizza, which I discovered and enjoyed in a tiny, very modest pizzeria somewhere far up the hill where the locals live in Positano. That place was much more memorable, but Grand Central is much easier to get to.
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If you work around Grand Central, stop into this place after 2 PM for a quick slice - they are only $1.25. Awesome deal.
I have only ever made it to Naples for breakfast. At best, it's middle of the road. Better than a greasy spoon diner, but no white tablecloths here. It's mildly annoying that they don't crank the A/C during the summer as it can feel a little muggy inside, but if they seat you at one of the big booths, and you're up for a simple granola with yogurt or scrambled eggs dish, you'll be fine.
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The pizza here is great. My friend told me all their ingredients were imported from Italian. Super fresh and really delicious! Great service and reasonable prices.
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Italian, pizza.
With a classic pizza style. When I used to frequent this place, I would order a mushroom personal pie for $8 and finish it off. The crust is nice and well done, fresh ingredients.
I have not been here for about a year, but when I last walked in, I'm not sure if they have changed their pizza styles, as I now see alot of various pizzas with different toppings laid out.
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Not to put down the regular NYC pizza pie, but Naples' mozzarella-and-basil Margherita is the tastiest pizza on earth. The crust is thin and crispy, and the sauce is mild and sweet with chunks of fresh tomato and basil. The dining area is more Italian restaurant than pizza place because of the corporate neighborhood, but they have fast to-go service and a huge delivery zone. A personal pie is $6, and a large sheet pizza (which can feed 3) is about $20.
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Great for sandwiches, pizza, pasta, soups, and salads...just about anything on the menu. It's a great place to come with a group and get a tasting sample of a few different dishes, some of the unique dishes I loved was the "Boucatini" with an egg and parmesan sauce with fresh black pepper, the grilled chicken panini, roasted eggplant parm. The service was decent, but the place gets packed-fast!! Also great during the summer with the outside dining. But was not crazy about the pizza parlour booths we were seated in.
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