Naples15

We were here once a few years ago when it opened as a new pizza place. They have redecorated and it is cute and cozy. My husband and companions had the lobster ravioli and they all said it was the best meal they have ever had. The entrees were served on platter plates, each a different design and one with chips on the edges, just like you would get in Europe. I ordered a pizza and enjoyed it as well. Complimentary slices of pizza crust is served on a plate (like a bread basket) and it was tasty. Service was excellent. A couple of us ordered cannoli to go. As we were waiting for our bill we were brought complimentary glasses of French amaretto which really topped off the meal well. I may order that for dessert next time! We differently want to go back and try some of the other items on the menu and other delicious sounding desserts as well. We very much enjoyed our evening with friends and delicious food.

Like the last review, this place has potential. We had dinner here on the Saturday before V-​day. My husband made reservations and they were so busy the only available was very early. We thought this would mean less crowds and better service…
The service was very lacking, I feel in part because they did not have enough staff for the amount of tables so our waitress was spread thin on a busy holiday night. The place quickly filled and every table was occupied.
We did not go with the prix frixe menu, instead ordering a pizza app and 2 entrees. This seemed to be a good idea because as we watched the other tables slowly get their orders, the amount of food was not worth what would have been a doubled check total (our bill came to less than half what the prixe fix was).
The margarita pizza was very good, although only had a single sliver of basil (I like more). My husband really liked his Gamberi e Capesante and I thought my Ziti al Re di Napoli was good. They were both served on very large, chipped ceramic platters, which I thought was overkill especially with the small table size.
I am familiar with real, authentic Italian food, and this place does remind me of such quality, but I feel the overall experience was lacking. Prices are somewhat high but expected.
Unlike the previous review, we were not there when the Chef came out and filled glasses but I doubt that would’ve made a difference for us.
We will still consider this place in the future, and maybe give it another try on a less popular night!

This place has potential.
My first experience with Naples 15, and it was for the fixed menu Valentine’s Day dinner. Excitement was high as we walked toward the establishment and the air was filled with an intoxicating aroma from what I could only assume was the wood-​fire oven. As we walked through the door, we were hit with scents of garlic and basil. We were sure to be in for a treat. That’s where things began a gradual decline.
We were seated at the table and informed of the Valentine’s Day menu (of which we were already aware from research on the Internet, but I had assumed we could order off the regular menu). The fixed menu included two glasses of champagne per person in the price. For an upcharge of $ 60 dollars, we could have ordered a bottle of choice red or white wine. We decided against this option and opted to enjoy a cocktail with dinner.
Started off with a slice of the Margherita pizza that was amazing.
Second course was a single scallop provençal baked with herbs and olive oil, that had set the meal on a delicious progression.
–at this point, we had finished our complimentary glasses of champagne and asked the waiter for a drink menu… which was a wine menu… with no other choices for beverage. Still not sure if a patron could order anything to drink other than wine.
Third course was a Caprese Salad that was uncomplicated but tasted good.
–before the fourth course was brought out, we had to remind the waiter that we would like to order a glass of wine, which arrived fairly quickly.
Fourth course, I went with a Lobster Ravioli in a cream sauce while my wife went with the Five Cheese Ravioli with procini mushrooms and fresh cheese. Both were phenomenal, and I found myself skimming my plate with a fork to get every last bit of sauce.
Fifth course was the most disappointing. I went with a dish that consisted of various shellfish and paccheri pasta (pasta shaped like large tubes). My wife went with the ziti served with a slow-​cooked two-​meat ragu. My wife’s dish was unremarkable and reminiscent to her of canned beef stew. My first bite of shellfish pasta was fishy. I understand seafood pasta will taste like seafood, but this was overwhelmingly fishy. As I continued to eat, I had gotten a mouthful of grit and the occasional broken shell. There was one smaller peeled shrimp on my plate along with one larger unpeeled shrimp. The smaller shrimp was like rubber and I had to get my hands dirty to clean and peel the larger shrimp. To cap it off, inside the last piece of pasta there was a little, sad, gray shrimp head staring at me. Not exactly my idea of rustic.
Finally, dessert was described on the menu as flaky pastry topped with roasted pears and a cream sauce. What we got was three Costco-​brand crème puffs in a bowl (that were still frozen in the middle) topped with a slice of strawberry and watered-​down condensed milk. My wife best defined it as cereal milk left over after a bowl of Lucky Charms. I ordered a cappuccino to enjoy with dessert that I actually finished before our final course arrived.
At the end of the evening, the Chef came out to the dining room and cut off the top of a bottle of champagne to pour for everyone at the tables. He then offered roses to all the women in the restaurant, followed by shots of Amaretto for everyone.
Overall, it could have been a better experience. I don’t know if we will ever return. But if we do, it will be for carrying out the pizza. This feels like a restaurant that is going through an identity crisis. If entrees are going to range from $ 15 to $ 40, drop some bread on the table with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Shave some parmesan cheese table-​side. Scrub the shellfish so the patrons won’t get mouthfuls of sand. Make me feel like I am walking out of the place with a positive dining experience, and not that I just had dinner sitting at high school library chairs in the ground floor of a strip mall.

Naples 15 is wonderful and Chef Salvatore is a culinary artist and great host. My husband and I had an excellent dinner this past Monday and will be returning to try more dishes. Our service was top notch and our veal and lobster ravioli were sublime. This is not a fancy place but is warm and cozy and inviting. We even took some of our entrees home with us as the portions are so generous, but that did not stop us from sharing a cannoli that was a real treat. Chef brought us a slice of pizza to try and we will definitely be exploring the pizza menu on return trips. Thank you Chef Salvatore and Naples 15 for a memorable dinner on a very cold night!

This was my 2^nd time here at Naples 15 and the food was amazing! Sal and his staff greeted me immediately when I walked into the restaurant. I had the lobster fettuccine and it was delicious. The restaurant makes you feel like you are in Italy. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone if you are in Madison, WI.

My first visit last night left a lasting impression. With each new dish, I could not believe the next could be any better, but it was. The food was amazing. The wine was paired perfectly with my dinner. I felt like I was visiting family as I was welcomed by everyone in the restaurant. We had a perfect date night and plan to return often.

Good food at price of great food. Pizza were good but at best on par with Pizza Brutta or Dolche Villa. They did not have much selection of beer. Maybe the other authentic dishes are exceptional but I have not tried them. The vibe I get is they want to be close to Letoilla in image but they are not. For this place to work long term, mostly everything on menu needs to come down 40%.

Absolutely delicious and the chef, Salvatore, is not only a great chef but also a really nice, warm person. The pizzas are simple and perfect, the pasta sauces are complex and leave you craving more. Fabulous spot!

My mom loves this place but the last time she came was a year ago. We came on a Tuesday night and maybe it was a fluke for the food and experience. The place was empty, the napkin we had wine stains on it. We ordered the pears and cheese appetizer and what came out was a liquid soup of pears and cheese. Not quite what I would expect, I was expecting a little more finesse from a $$$. Then was the entrée we ordered the pasta with octopus. The octopus was subpar and the dish’s best quality was the sauce and the olives. I’m not sure what happened compared to the other reviews here. But I probably won’t be back, we’re visitors from WA out here in Madison for family. Parking here is difficult expect to walk for a little bit if you can’t find a spot.

Used a Groupon, tried the pizza and Pollo alla Salvatore pasta. Both were very flavorful. Server was great and the chef was present in the dining area and friendly to us. Fun atmosphere!

this is some LEGIT italian cuisine! Salvatore the owner and cook is a wonderful host, the food is out of this world… my family is italian and i haven’t had such good southern italian cuisine in years! the place has great music that doesn’t interfere with conversation, the place has a great vibe, not pretentious like other places.
our first time there there had been an issue with some of the waiters, so the service was super slow, but salvatore convinced us to stay and give him a chance, and we loved the food so much that we went back with friends and service was great!
not a cheap eat, but well worth it!

The food here is still delicious and beautiful. The server was helpful, friendly and attentive. It should have been 4 or 5 Stars. But a restaurant that has twenty to thirty dollar entrees should have a working bathroom. My friend went to the restroom upon arrival but came directly out. She mentioned to our server that one toilet was clogged and the second toilet was missing it’s handle, Thirty minutes later she attempted to go to the restroom again and both were still not working.
I really want to love this place but the functionality of the space paired with the imported food prices is a hard to sell to my friends. Groupons help though.

DELICIOUS pizza. The eggplant parm app was unbelievably scrumptious, perfect with their bread. We had a girls night there, it was perfect. Just classy enough without being too expensive.

The most fantastic Italian food in Madison — do not miss! I asked Chef Salavotore for fish soup not on the menu and he made me q beautiful Cioppino on the fly! Check out my picture!

Terrible dinner. Service, drinks and food were awful. Ordered an Aperol spritz, warm and flat. Returned that drink and ordered Campari and soda, came in a huge wine glass and was warm. Cooled it off with ice from the ice bucket holding our warm when it arrived San Pelligrino. First course, Caprese Salad, a bowl of basil leaves with cherry tomatoes and small pieces of mozzarella. Bizarre. Next, Margherita pizza and Ziti Napoli. No sauce on the pizza, cheese and cherry tomatoes. Ziti was bland, over-​sauced and over-​cooked. Our waitress got electrocuted getting our beer out of the cooler and threw a fit in the restaurant. Beer was warm. Can’t believe the cooler had electricity. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
In addition, the food was way overpriced. Been to Italy many times and never paid $ 32 for a plate of ziti. It’s a primi piatti, and it was nothing special.
The chef spent most of the evening out front entertaining a large table, while we waited over an hour for pasta and pizza.

This is authentic Neapolitan cuisine at its finest. Salvatore di Scala is a master of his craft. Everything is prepared to perfection, with love and attention to detail.
Pizza, genuine Neapolitan pizza, comes from a beautiful wood-​fired oven. If you have been to Italy and asked yourself why pizza can’t taste that way in America, it does here.
Portion sizes are often enough to feed two people generously. Take home leftovers if you must, but don’t skip dessert. The baba is especially brilliant.

It has been a long time since I was so irritated that I decided to Unilocal.
Well, my wife and I decided to try Naples15 after all of our friends have raved about it… or should I say tried to try.
So we showed up and there were very few people in the restaurant. The hostess sat us immediately and decided to tell us the story about the owner… which is fine. That’s the last we ever saw anybody at Naples 15. Not any food ordered, drinks, handshake, nod, glance or sniff. We finally left after sitting there for 30 minutes.
Now…you have 5 people in restaurant, you know we are there, can clearly see us, walk by us, and then see us leave and do not even acknowledge us as we are leaving.
So…Naples15…you are responsible for the return of me to Unilocal.My followers thank you and my haters…

One of the top 5 meals in my life. The atmosphere is romantic, the staff is excellent and the food is out of this world. Our waitress made several recommendations that were spot on. She was even from Italy so very authentic experience. We could not have been more pleased with our meal and the entire experience.
For those who complain about the prices, realize this is a high quality dining experience not a trip to Perkins. If you are looking for cheap, go elsewhere, if you are looking for high quality and excellent value, (given the quality) this is the place to go. Clearly the best Italian in Madison, and probably the top Italian food I have had on this side of the Atlantic! But don’t expect a $ 50 meal for $ 10…

I feel bad writing this honest review but I had reasonable expectations and they were far from being met. I had never been to Naples15 and I had a Groupon for $ 40 and was eager to try.
The Pros: the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. The bread was unique and exquisite. The gratis caprese salad was delicious.
The Cons: when I asked about the special, which sounded wonderful, I was told it was $ 29 but $ 39 if I were using a Groupon. What’s the point of offering a Groupon then? Made no sense. The house wine was not very good but would have been acceptable had it not been for the price. Pricey for a house wine at $ 41/​bottle. The prices on the menu were what I would consider extreme for this level of restaurant. This is not a LeToile. There were entrees in the $ 15 – 20 but many were in the $ 29 – 39. I would still be willing to pay these prices but the décor and ambiance were mid-​level at best and our entrees… the seafood tasted old and overall it didn’t meet expectations for the price.
The pizza on the menu looked good and we were told by the wait staff that it is excellent. If you’re going, I’d stick with that suggestion.

The food is very good, so I feel bad giving fewer than 4 stars. This is actual authentic Italian food, which isn’t that easy to come by in the Midwest (sorry people). Everything from the pasta to the pizza to that baked cheese appetizer is great.
The ambience is really nice too! I like the raised area for tables.
A few issues that made me consider giving three stars:
— horribly slow service. there were maybe two other occupied tables on a weekday evening but we were still basically ignored.
Took forever to order, get our drinks, etc.
Like an absurd about of time for things that, unlike food, have no reason to take a long time.
— NYC prices in Madison. I get it, you’re a good restaurant, but you just won’t be successful when there are plenty of other great places that are much more affordable. Seriously more expensive than A Pig in A Fur Coat and Heritage…