CAMPIELLO RISTORANTE & EMPORI PROVES TO BE A COSMOPOLITAN DELIGHT
If you remember when Naples
was all rib joints and swamp buggies,
you know sophistication was a long
time coming. Now, thanks to
restaurants like Campiello, Naples
can add "cosmopolitan" to its lexicon.
Campiello Ristorante is what
you'd imagine the ideal villa in
Tuscany to look like, all sun-washed
stone, fountains and open
courtyards, wrapped around an open
kitchen which smells a lot like
heaven. Meats are slowly roasting on
oak-fired spits, pizzas are being
popped into wood-burning ovens and
a line of chefs is making it all look easy.
Campiello is the brainchild of two
brothers, Richard and Larry D'Amico, who
grew up in the kitchens of their parents'
restaurant in Cleveland. In 1995, the brothers
opened the first Campiello in Minneapolis, a
success story that led to the opening of
another Campiello in Eden Prairie, Minn.,
and, last season, its largest, in Naples.
General manager Pam Nesheim, who
transferred from Minneapolis, is the epitome
of grace under pressure. Going table-to-table,
she makes friends as easily as a seasoned
politician.
"I hear the beach is lovely, but I haven't
gotten there yet," she admitted.
From opening night, Campiello has been
mobbed. Yet once you find a seat, you will be
glad you did. Owner Richard D'Amico said,
"I feel happier when I'm surrounded by
things that are aesthetically pleasing."
With that as his criteria, he must be
delirious when he's in his own restaurant. Sit
outside if possible, breathe in the night air and
watch the stars. You'll be certain somebody
paid off the mosquitoes to leave you alone.
Enjoy a signature martini ($5.75-$7.50,)
the house specialty, a Bellini made with white
peaches and wild raspberry ($6,) your
favorite beer ($3.25-$4.50) or share a bottle of
wine from the extensive list ($23-$155). Then
get ready for a gastronomic delight.
Special to the Daily News
Campiello's menu is full of them.
Warm up with an appetizer of some
Prince Edward Island Mussels
($8.95) or the Spicy Calamari with
lemon parsley aioli ($9.95). Then try
the Roasted Chicken with spinach
and crimini mushroom risotto
($15.95) and a new craving will be
born. It will be tough, but save room
for dessert. The warm Chocolate
Truffle Cake ($5.95) will make a
chocoholic out of anyone.
Just when you think it can't get
any better, prepare for another
caress of your senses. The David
Pringle Trio with Zeb Billings
entertains in the courtyard and
plays some of the smoothest jazz around.
The trio started when Billings and Pringle,
both musicians and composers, retired to
Naples. Billings played with a group called
Expresso while Pringle, from Great Britain,
performed country club gigs. The two
played a concert together at Sugden
Theatre that went so well they decided to
form a group with Carl McVicker on bass
and Nick Campeon or Jim Blakemore on
drums. The result is a treat. With
selections ranging from Duke Ellington to
Thelonius Monk, the group heats up the street.
"We try to play jazz with no compromise
and every day we get better," Pringle said.
"The great thing about playing all over
town through the years," added Billings,
who joins the group on weekends, "is that
you get to meet the best musicians in town."
The group adds the final fillip to a
wonderful evening.
"The whole idea of our place is good foods
and good times for good friends," Nesheim
said. "Eat well, laugh often and live long is the
owners' motto for their restaurants."
IF YOU GO
Campiello Ristorante & Empori
1177 Third St. South
HOURS: Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through
Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and
Saturday.
ENTERTAINMENT: The David Pringle Trio plays
Wednesday and Thursday from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.
DETAILS: All major credit cards accepted.
Reservations strongly encouraged.
Wheelchair accessible.
Information: 435-1166.