La Chamade Grand Restaurant in Varcaturo, Naples. (Lisa Novak / S&S)
Forget the footlong sub. L’arte della pizza a metro — the art of pizza by the meter — is a specialty at La Chamade restaurants in Naples, Italy. Don’t be fooled by the French name. This is as Italian as it gets. These creations are not only feasts for the palate, but for the eyes as well. Some of the masterpieces coming out of the ovens at La Chamade resemble the famed Murano glass artworks.
Their pie, “Lui e Lei,” looks like a window of pizza with nine panes, each separated by a strand of crust. This one is not for amateurs.
Owner Giovanni Di Vaio has several La Chamade restaurants in the Naples area. While the original is in Licola, the newer, main restaurant, or Grand Restaurant, is in the neighboring town of Varcaturo.
The restaurant looks fancy, with traditional marble decor and waiters in suits. But dress for the customer is casual. Seating capacity is about a hundred including the outside dining area in the spring and summer. With the warmer weather, you’ll need to make reservations if you plan to eat here on the weekend.
The restaurant has a piano bar with live music and dancing. The entertainers aren’t shy and usually try to induce a few of the diners to work off the pizza by joining in the show. They perform flamenco, Brazilian belly dancing and even a bit of Neapolitan cabaret.
The menu consists of traditional Italian fare, with a range of antipastos, meats, fish, many wine selections, sweets and, of course, pizza.
On Sundays the restaurant offers a special all-you-can-eat lunch menu for 25 euros.
Like many restaurants in Naples, La Chamade is closed Mondays. It is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, 12-3 p.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight.
If you’re staying in Naples, one of the restaurants delivers. It has a pizza car — with a warmer oven for a back seat.
To see previous After Hours reviews, go to: stripes.com/afterhours
La Chamade, Naples, Italy
Hours: Tues-Sunday 12 – 3 p.m.; 7 p.m.– midnight
Prices: Reasonable. A full meal complete with appetizers, wine and dessert can range from 20 to 30 euros.
Specialties: Pizza by the meter
English menu: No.
Dress: Casual
Clientele: Mostly Italian.
Location: Via Ripuaria, 213, Varcaturo
Web site:http://www.lachamade.it
Telephone: 081-839-1875 or 393-911-4036
