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Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria at Epcot’s Italy Pavilian: Opening Day Review – Photos and Video

Hi everyone!

Via Napoli Ristorante (below, left) at the Italy pavilian in Epcot soft opened today, several days before the official soft-opening date! The windows advertise the offerings (below, right), including pizza – and it is a great pizza! The completed restaurant exterior reminded me of Lights! Motor! Action! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I almost expected little red cars to be parked out front.

A beautiful chandelier (below, left) greets guests in the lobby, we were told it is made from Murano glass. Decorative jars (below, right) sit above a shelf of drinking glasses. From the press release: Restaurateur and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York which was awarded the coveted certification of “La Vera Pizza Napoletana.”

While in Naples, Valenti spent time studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon. A view of the open kitchen, ovens and the dining room (below, left). The community table (below, right) can sit about 24 guests, and was used for smaller groups while we were there today.

The three ovens – Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna (below left) – are named after the three major volcanoes of Italy. Via Napoli employees (below, right) get pizzas ready for guests.

From the dough (below, left) to toppings (below, right), all preparation can be seen by guests! Pizza isn’t the only food available, but it is the star of the show. A range of other entree’s are available, including chicken and pasta dishes.

Two salads and a fruit cup (below, left) wait for a server to deliver them to guests.  A pizza is posed for a photo (below, right) before being brought to a table.

We had a table of 4 adults, and split the Arancini (“fried risotto balls filled with mozzarella and meat ragu”). They were very tasty, but on the small side and cost $10.00 for 4 risotto balls. However, there was nothing small about the pizza that was wheeled out to us! (below, right) Our pepperoni pizza (1/2 meter to share, $36.00) fed the 4 of us easily, and the wood fire crispiness and taste were perfect. The pepperoni pieces were bunched up towards the center and not evenly distributed, but we had one person in our group who doesn’t like pepperoni and took the outer pieces. The flour in the pizza is imported from Naples, San Marzano tomatoes (thought of as the best tomatoes for making sauce), handmade mozzarella, and water identical in composition to the water found in Naples.

I never thought water could make a difference in pizza, but we have a favorite New York style fast-food pizza restaurant in Tampa, and the water is shipped in from New York (and it tastes just like a slice from NYC!) We were about to dive into the pizza, which took up much of our table (below, left). A slice of the pizza edge that came without pepperoni (below, right), just the way that Denise (from Mousesteps.com) likes it!

For dessert, we had the Zeppole di Catarina (Ricotta cheese fritters, $10.00). They were decadent – and served with an unsweetened whipped cream and chocolate sauce (below left). I had a smile on my face once they arrived (below, right).

The back story of the restaurant is that a wealthy landowner had a villa, stables and market. The landowner died, and his son came back and turned the buildings into a pizza restaurant. The stable design is below, left. The villa is below, right. Not all of the employees know the back story yet, but this is what we learned from two managers.

Two more views of the restaurant show the spaciousness of it (below left and right). The ceilings are very high, one friend called it “cavernous”.

We already showed much of the outside of the restaurant a couple of days back, but one photo here shows the “Ristorante” part of the outside (below, left). There is also an outside dining area, under cover, with fans.

Bonus Video – Via Napoli, Epcot – New Italian Restaurant – Dining Area and Ovens – This video from the Via Napoli restaurant at Walt Disney World, today was the first day it was opened to the public.

For many more great photos, please check out MouseSteps latest update HERE!

Latest Release – Disney Theme Park Seasonal Celebrations:

Jeff Lange Experiences: Disney Theme Park Seasonal Celebrations

Jeff Lange brings you this latest DVD in a series that features one-of-a-kind experiences that you can only find in the Disney theme parks!

Features: Happy Easter Parade (Magic Kingdom, 2010), Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky (Magic Kingdom, 2010), Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies (Disneyland, 2009), Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade (Animal Kingdom, 2009), “Let There Be Peace On Earth” Fireworks Finale (Epcot, 2009) and Lights, Camera, Happy New Year! Fireworks Spectacular (Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 2009)

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010:

Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010 (Featuring SpectroMagic, Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show, Main Street Electrical Parade and more!)

Jeff Lange brings the grandeur of Spectromagic, the brilliance of the Main Street Electrical Parade, and the dazzling display of the Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show to your door with Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010.

Featurers: SpectroMagic (Final showing of the season 06/05/10), Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show (Premiere 06/06/10), Main Street Electrical Parade (Premiere 06/06/10) plus, BONUS: “Top of the World” Fireworks Viewing (2010)!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Vintage Disney-MGM Studios:

Jeff Lange Remembers: Disney-MGM Studios Classics – Vol 1

Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience the early years of the Disney-MGM Studios. This first volume in a series features the following vintage footage:

Studios Entrance Scenes (1989-1992), Here Come The Muppets (1991), Soundstage Restaurant (1992), The Studio Showcase (1992), Star Today Ceremony (1992), The Great Movie Ride (1991) and more!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange’s Disney-MGM Studios Parade Classics – 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition DVD

Remember Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2010:

Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2010

Celebrate spring at one of Disney’s most anticipated events of the year: The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2010.

Experience these unique panoramic displays throughout Epcot’s  Future World and all around World Showcase!

Running Time: 64 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 09, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2008

Wishes Fireworks – All Versions!

magic-kingdom-wishes-cover1Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Wishes DVD

Jeff Lange takes you to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to experience the best of all the “Wishes” nighttime fireworks spectaculars!

Features: Wishes – A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Holiday Wishes – Celebrate The Spirit of the Season plus Bonus: Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks!

Running Time: 61 Min

For more information or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Walt Disney World Vintage Footage:

wdw-1986-coverJeff Lange DVD Presents: Bob Welbaum’s Walt Disney World 1986 DVD

Jeff Lange turns back the clock to 1986, where you will experience Walt Disney World through the eyes of Disneyana documentarian Bob Welbaum. This incredible vintage footage includes select narration from Mr. Welbaum, who shot this video before recording was commonplace.

Walt Disney World 1986 contains clips from the following: Walt Disney World Resorts, Original Disney Shopping Village, Epcot Center, Discovery Island, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and much more!

Running Time: 65 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics and Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Disneyland Vintage Footage (5 Volumes Available):

disneyland-classics-vol-5-smallJeff Lange Remembers Disneyland Classics Vol 5

Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience classic Disneyland attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following:

Aladdin’s Royal Caravan (1993), Disneyland Railroad(1992) including the burning settlers cabin, Big Thunder Ranch and more, Beauty and the Beast Show (1993),Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (1993), Alice in Wonderland (1993) andFantasy in the Sky Fireworks (1993)!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Disneyland Classics Volume 1 – 4.

Remember Halloween 2009 (2003-2008 Also Available):

Trick or Treat 6 CoverJeff Lange’s Trick or Treat 6 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2009)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2009 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World!

Featuring: Alice & Mad Hatters Treat Party, TheHeadless Horseman, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade,Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Villains Mix and Mingle, Not So Scary Party Scenes, Haunted Mansion at Midnight and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Trick or Treat vol 1 – 5 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2008) – Click HERE

Remember Christmas 2009 (2006-2008 & Classics Also Available):

Holiday Treat 09 copyJeff Lange’s Holiday Treat 09 (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2009)

Seasons Greetings from Jeff Lange! Celebrate the holidays with this new DVD featuring the 2009 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World.

Features yearly favorites such as: “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish (Castle Lighting)”, “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade”, “Holiday Wishes Fireworks – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season”, “Celebrate the Season Show” special holiday decor, and much more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: a full range of Holiday Titles from Disneyland and Walt Disney World HERE!

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.