#varuninapoli

Augusta and I checked this one off awhile ago, but for some reason I completely forgot about it. Which doesn't make any sense considering how ridiculously delicious our food was.

Varuni Napoli was opened in 2014 by the old head chef of Antico and you can tell. The food was fantastic. Augusta and I ordered the Mamma, one of their specialty white pizzas featuring buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, cherry tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil. We devoured it with no shame. I would have loved to have tried an antipasti as well, but we were too stuffed from the pizza. I had 2 glasses of pinot noir which is worth mentioning because the wine is only $5 a glass. What? Cheap booze? Have I died and gone to Athens?

Now, I'd been to Antico a few times in the past and enjoyed it for the most part. While the pizza at Antico is pretty much perfect, the atmosphere is always a bit hectic. Always having to figure out how to split the check, then somebody has to bring the booze, then you stalk someone to get a table, but then you're basically in the kitchen so you sweat your ass off while waiting for and eating your pizza. Don't get me wrong, there is a novelty to Antico that can be enjoyable. You really feel like you are in someone's kitchen and while inside I could be anywhere -- just as soon in Italy as in West Midtown. Varuni doesn't quite have the same old-fashioned family style atmosphere, although most of the tables are communal. Varuni boasts a modern aesthetic that is both beautiful and comforting. I didn't feel as crowded or flustered as I often feel at Antico, however I think Augusta and I got lucky; we sat at the bar with no wait.

The best part of the night was probably the adorable guy behind the drink/dessert counter. He kept photobombing my attempts to get a picture of Augusta. SO BUMMED because these are some of the only pictures I lost in transitioning to a new phone. (that's another story...someone tell me how to increase space in my cloud? technology is hard). You'll just have to imagine it -- cute Italian guy with rolled-up sleeves, suspenders and an ivy cap. I imagined him breaking out into a number from Newsies at any moment. Or you can just go there and meet him yourself.

Picture below is borrowed from Varuni Napoli's website:

Food: 5 out of 5 -- perfectly finished crust, well balanced flavors. I cannot wait to go back and try another pie.

Atmosphere: 4 out 5 --  I love the design in this place, but I'm afraid the order-at-the-counter and communal table thing might be a bit hectic if you have any more than 2 people in your party.