My friend and I ate there a couple of weeks ago and we were both extremely happy with the whole experience. We had pizza which was perfect (as usual!!) and the gnocchi which was the best gnocchi I've ever had - it just melted in my mouth. The service was great, food came out on time and the waiters were casual but attended to our needs professionally.
And to top it off we left there with a bill of $50 for pizza, pasta and wine. We were astonished at the value for money for real Italian food.
I have to say I've ended up with mixed emotions with this place it just isn't the same and I feel like I've been robbed of the old Napoli in Bocca, I just don't feel at home like I used to. Food, however, is still good here and I can't complain.
Drove across from the North Shore on a sat looking for a real Italian pizza. Wasn't worth it here. The pizza, whilst quite tasty, was soft and just had nothing special about it.
There was no ambience because we had dozens on name tag wearing Food Safari members walking in and out continuously. The staff seemed a little miffed that we just wanted to share a pizza and drink a mineral water rather than having the full on three course lunch with wine. I found the whole thing about as italian as going to pizza hut.
This was the starting point on Saturday for Maeve O'Mara's "Food Safaris - Italian". We had coffee first then came back for lunch. Of course my experience will be different to anyone who has booked a table but as to the food, the most outstanding was the gnocchi with four cheeses which was exceptional, certainly the best I have ever tasted.
The pizzas were very good also, we tried the traditional ones as part of our deal. I would be happy to give it a try with family if only to eat a whole plate of gnocchi myself!!!!
Now this is a proper Italian restaurant with beautifull food and ambience, service was a bit to slow but considered how busy they are is forgivable and value ok, but we going back there. Higly recommended.
The pizza is as good as always. Strongly recommend rocket on top of a prosciutto pizza. The Pasta al Forno is always nice too.
Our complaint is about the unfair booking system. Time after time, we have booked early, even a day before. When we show up, every time a group arrives after us and is seated right away leaving us standing at the entrance. We've even been "turned around" on our way to an assigned table. It is clear that these are friends of the staff. This is no way to run a restaurant.
We used to go to Napoli in Bocca alot, but hadn't been since the refurbishment - until last week. Before we booked, I read all the reviews on Eatability and was shocked to read the negative ones.
Was this even the same restaurant? It didn't sound like the Napoli in Bocca we used to know.
Should we even bother?
But we decided to give it a shot, because we had always had such good food there.
We walked in and were amazed at how the refurbishment had opened out the restaurant and made it feel almost spacious, despite the fact that it was full to bursting. The only thing I'd say is that the atmosphere could be made instantly better by slightly darker lighting. It felt too family oriented - I'm sure there's a happy medium. Tealights would be great and inexpensive.
When we came in the past, we always only ever had the pizza, and we chose our old favourites on this occasion. There were three of us - we demolished four pizzas. Maybe the other menu items aren't great as some - and only some - of the other reviews suggest, however this is THE best pizza in Sydney (with apologies to our local in Cremorne, Fratellis, which is also very good). The base is just the right consistancy and has a doughy flavour without being too yeasty and certainly not too heavy. And the toppings were generous, fresh and full of flavour. We were in pizza heaven.
We wished we could have the tiramisu afterwards, but were absolutely full.
The service was absolutely acceptable. The restaurant was full - there was no time for chat - so it was short, sharp, just not overly friendly. Certainly not rude. The food came in good time - and hot. Having said that, we have been when the service has been intrusive and rude - the one waiter who was the culprit on a couple of occasions was not there last week.
So - yet again we had a fabulous meal at Napoli in Bocca. At under $30 a head (we had 1 bottle of wine) for this mouth-watering pizza, I consider it good value. And we can't wait to go back and would recommend it to anyone.