Please don't think that I am slamming kids in a restaurant. I know the area well (grew up in Edgewater, lived in Uptown and now moved to Ravenswood). I expect children to be at places in the area. This just seemed to be over board. But I do think that part of the reason was because of the unrelenting heat I know my parents would of been there with all four of us kids rather than cook at home if this place was around 20 years ago!

And I really liked the restaurant and it's layout. I found it charming. I liked the hostess. I thought everyone was just nice as can be. It was just really loud and not what I was anticapting.

It was just the pizza that I thought was really off. But I do think that it could of been because of what I ordered. Plus, my suggestion based on what people really liked on here was veto'd. BF was in a mushroom mood. I was hot and in no mood to argue. Perhaps I should be re-thinking the BF instead of Scappa Napoli.

I do plan on trying it again probably by myself. I'll definitely write up my other experience.

Thank you all so much for providing such a valubable site!

Swanline wrote:Please don't think that I am slamming kids in a restaurant. I know the area well (grew up in Edgewater, lived in Uptown and now moved to Ravenswood). I expect children to be at places in the area. This just seemed to be over board. But I do think that part of the reason was because of the unrelenting heat I know my parents would of been there with all four of us kids rather than cook at home if this place was around 20 years ago!

And I really liked the restaurant and it's layout. I found it charming. I liked the hostess. I thought everyone was just nice as can be. It was just really loud and not what I was anticapting.

It was just the pizza that I thought was really off. But I do think that it could of been because of what I ordered. Plus, my suggestion based on what people really liked on here was veto'd. BF was in a mushroom mood. I was hot and in no mood to argue. Perhaps I should be re-thinking the BF instead of Scappa Napoli.

I do plan on trying it again probably by myself. I'll definitely write up my other experience.

Thank you all so much for providing such a valubable site!

I've had the funghi and the mushrooms were not canned. I do think they're sauteed prior to placement on the pizza; otherwise, they'd be tasteless, spongy little white specks. As discussed by numerous people, the pizza at SN has a "watery" center, although some would prefer the word "moist," due in large part to the concaveness of the dough (thicker collars, thinner middle) and the fresh mozzarella, which has a higher water content. I think because that texture and appearance is so different from Chicago-style thin crust, a lot of people are put off prior to biting into it. But, for many, the appeal of the pizza is the contrast in textures and flavors between the crispy, yeasty, charred flavor of the collar of the pizza to the moist, sweet acidic flavor of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the cheese in the center. For me, it's a perfect balance. I do hope you give it another try.

To me, SN's mushroom pizza is a bit bland. (My one reservation about this place is that the sauce is not quite as flavorful as it should be.) However, the mushroom and sausage combination is just about perfect. The sausage adds that little bit of kick that's missing otherwise.

Another tip: if you're worried about pizzas getting cold, order the prosciutto and arugula pie (which you should be doing anyway), and save it till the end. It also works great as leftovers.

Ate at Spacca last night. It's now been about a year and a half since opening, at least one pizziola change later, and the pies are still coming out at the same level of consistency as when they first opened. I was skeptical at first that the Chicago community would continue to embrace Spacca Napoli after the newness wore off because their pies are so different from your typical, topping-heavy Chicago thin crust. Yet, last night, every table was filled, including the several outside, people were waiting, and a steady stream of customers, young and old, coming in and out, show how well this place has fit into our city.

The only thing I could say about my pizzas is that they were delicious, per usual. Wetter centers, nicely charred bubbly collar, distinct crunch, airy bready inside. Perfection.

As I made my way out, I noticed that the affable owner, Jonathan Goldsmith, was offering samples of black truffle flatbread to those waiting. Even though we were leaving, he suggested that we take one "for the way out." Black truffle on Spacca Napoli crust!? Could you get a better cap off to the evening (before I really capped it off at The Violet Hour )?

Is it true that spaccanapoli is going to close in september for vacation

Call them and ask?

I stopped by Spacca Napoli yesterday afternoon for lunch. I just ordered a beer and a sausage pizza. I thought it was tremendous. The crust was nice and crispy with nice char, the sausage was nice and flavorful, and I really liked the buffalo mozzarella and mild sauce. I'm usually a Giordano's or Due (Uno) kind of guy when I go to Chicago, but I can't eat that all the time. I could eat the pizza at Spacca Napoli 3-5 times a week, easily. My only complaint is that it was relatively expensive. I thought the pizza was the perfect size for one, but that and my beer came out to just under $18. I wasn't hungry when I left, but I should have ordered a salad, too.

jffgrc wrote:Is it true that spaccanapoli is going to close in september for vacation

According to the Trib's blog "The Stew" Spacca Napoli will close Monday and reopen on Sept. 12th.

Have you guys tried Apart Pizza Co.? That's my new favorite pizza place in the area. A bit more NY style than neopolitan...but man, does it deliver!

Here are links to two prior threads about Apart:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=8012

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=14315

Just had my second trip to Spacca Napoli in under two weeks. This place is amazing. I went several times when they first opened and the pizza was a bit inconsistent- but if these last two visits are any indication - this place is on fire.

Both times, we dined midweek and bit early (around 6 pm) which helps eliminate the wait for a table and the crowds.

The first visit we shared a caprese appetizer - flavorful cherry tomatoes, silky, rich fresh mozzarella. We got the marinara pizza (which I have been craving since a trip to Italy in May.) This pizza is perfect - just a bit of tomato sauce, garlic, herbs and olive oil. It only works because the bread/crust of the pizza is so flavorful. Pillowy soft with a complex wheat flavor followed by the signature char aftertaste. Incredible. We also ordered a pizza with a whole bunch of toppings (mushrooms, olives, salami and ricotta) and feel that the topping overpowered the amazing crust. I thing that at Spacca Napoli, keeping the pizza simple leads to the best results.

On our second visit, I learned about a secret menu item. They were offering black truffle focaccia to people waiting for a table. Our waiter mentioned that it was available as a non-menu item and we jumped at the chance. My friends, this was the perfect showcase for the superb quality and care that goes into the pizza. The focaccia allowed one to really taste and understand the crust in the midst of the heavenly truffle smell. Truly amazing. The house salad was a delightful combination of field greens, arugala and balsamic vinegar. We again ordered a marina and this time were rewarded by ordering one of the simpler pizzas - the salsiccia. Fantastic sausage chunks that melded well with the cheese and sauce. Again, the simple combinations work the best.

I know this place is already a GNR and well loved on LTH, but if you haven't been, you owe it to yourself to savor the crust. And don't forget to order the truffle focaccia.

veeral, is this a regular secret menu item, or was it something that they just happened to have on hand and made into a "special" secret menu item of sorts? It sounds delicious!

I don't know. When we asked about it the waiter just mentioned that it wasn't on the menu but was available for 10 dollars (a total steal if you ask me.)

Quick ping: I don't have time to read thru this entire thread, but we're meeting my in-laws and their kids for pizza this evening - is this place appropriate for an early dinner with young children?

Yes, as long as you don't have a long wait for a table.

(I don't remember if they have a policy about reservations for large groups - perhaps that is also discussed up thread.)

Mhays wrote:Quick ping: I don't have time to read thru this entire thread, but we're meeting my in-laws and their kids for pizza this evening - is this place appropriate for an early dinner with young children?

Definitely appropriate. We usually go to Spacca early (we don't like to wait for a table and we're usually hungry at 5:00 anyway), and there are almost always several tables with kids who seem to be enjoying themselves just fine.

I once went there around 5ish and it seemed to be the beginning a family hour with tons of kids. Indeed, there have been some complaints here about too many kids, which means you'll be fine.

Jonah

I went to Spacca Saturday night for dinner with my husband and a couple friends (one of whom had been here before). While the wait for a table was somewhat long, we barely noticed, since the owner was passing around samples of the pizza and cheese. Furthermore, our drink orders were taken while we waited. There is no better way to keep me happy than to offer me wine and free pizza, seriously.

Once we were seated, we ordered 4 pies to share--a Margherita, a Funghi, a Bianca con Bufala e Rucola, and a Salsiccia e Broccoletti. My favorite was probably the Funghi, though I really liked them all (next time, I want to try the Funghi e Salsiccia). I did think that the bitterness of the rapini overpowered that one a little bit, and would have liked it better with a lighter hand, but it was still good. The arugula added a pleasant earthiness to that pie, but it seemed to need something else to complete it. It just felt like it somehow needed something salty, and I think I would have preferred the version with prosciutto.

The extremely pleasant woman who seemed to be in charge of the front of the house (an owner?) comped our dessert unnecessarily in exchange for moving our table to accommodate a larger group. As I said, unnecessary, since we just scooted over a couple feet, but much appreciated. I had the excellent hazelnut gelato, husband and one friend had the pistachio gelato, and our other friend had the Italian custard. We were all very happy with our choices.

While the overall experience was great, the service we got from our waiter left something to be desired. He rubbed us the wrong way from the beginning, when he superciliously corrected one friend's pronunciation of salciccia, but that could have been overlooked. When the above-mentioned female manager came over to check on our desserts, however, we learned that he had not told us the full dessert menu, skipping a gelato flavor we were all very interested in (chocolate with raspberry and black pepper, I believe she said). Then, on our way out, one of my friends pointed out a pizza on someone else's table that looked good to her. The owner overheard us discussing it, and explained that it was a special with black truffle cream, potatoes, caramelized onions, and various other bits of deliciousness. Our waiter hadn't mentioned this at all when we spoke with him before ordering, and it was definitely something we would have ordered. I suppose I'll have to go back soon to get it (he said it would be on the menu for awhile), but I just hope I don't get that waiter again!

GardenofEatin wrote:but I just hope I don't get that waiter again!

If you do, ask for another server, unless you're worried about hurting the unacceptable one's feelings.

stevez wrote:

GardenofEatin wrote:but I just hope I don't get that waiter again!

If you do, ask for another server, unless you're worried about hurting the unacceptable one's feelings.

The problem is that I don't remember his name (or even whether he ever told us his name). My only method of identifying him is to say "the guy who we thought looked kind of like an Italian Jeremy Piven." I think I'll just take my chances and realize that I'll have to be more aggressive about finding out what the specials are.

Thanks everyone for all the replies; though this is on my must-try list, it didn't work out for tonight...soon, though.

There's a 25% off coupon (entire check) valid for Wednesday and Thursday lunch through 12/31/07 at the restaurant's Web site.

http://spaccanapolipizzeria.com/coupon.html

Molly

Mhays wrote:Quick ping: I don't have time to read thru this entire thread, but we're meeting my in-laws and their kids for pizza this evening - is this place appropriate for an early dinner with young children?

I think it's an adult restaurant. How many kids are you talking about?

For more space and freedom for a group, I'd go to a regular pizzeria with a bunch of kids. You know, the order a couple of huge pizzas, the pitchers of coke, etc.

I don't think SN is a kids place. I went with a bunch of kids to Pizza DOC a few years back and it was uncomfortable esp. if the kids are under 7-8 years old. Plus the bill will be $teep if you order a pizza for each child, compared to a regular Chicago pizzeria.

RiverWester wrote:

Mhays wrote:Quick ping: I don't have time to read thru this entire thread, but we're meeting my in-laws and their kids for pizza this evening - is this place appropriate for an early dinner with young children?

I think it's an adult restaurant. How many kids are you talking about?

For more space and freedom for a group, I'd go to a regular pizzeria with a bunch of kids. You know, the order a couple of huge pizzas, the pitchers of coke, etc.

I don't think SN is a kids place. I went with a bunch of kids to Pizza DOC a few years back and it was uncomfortable esp. if the kids are under 7-8 years old. Plus the bill will be $teep if you order a pizza for each child, compared to a regular Chicago pizzeria.

I actually think SN is one of the more kid-friendly restaurants around that area, especially if you go early. If you look at page two of this thread, you'll find some photographic evidence.

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:I actually think SN is one of the more kid-friendly restaurants around that area, especially if you go early. If you look at page two of this thread, you'll find some photographic evidence.

And page 4. SN is quite kid friendly.

G Wiv wrote:

eatchicago wrote:I actually think SN is one of the more kid-friendly restaurants around that area, especially if you go early. If you look at page two of this thread, you'll find some photographic evidence.

And page 4. SN is quite kid friendly.

We've had a few pleasant meals there with my son, who is now 10. He enjoys it very much and the staff was far more accomodating with him than they needed to be.

=R=

Early on, it will mostly be families. Later, it's more grownup.

RiverWester wrote: I went with a bunch of kids to Pizza DOC a few years back and it was uncomfortable esp. if the kids are under 7-8 years old.

Interesting - one of our go-to dinner places with Sparky is Trattoria DOC in Evanston (he's 7) I suppose it depends on the individual child, but our general policy is that it's part of a kid's education to expose them to places where good behavior is expected, rather than dinner-tainment.

That being said, we always go very early so as not to disturb patrons who might not appreciate the learning curve, set up ground rules early, and make good on our threats to haul him outside if necessary...

All I can tell you is that I was with 4 boys under 8 years old, and I felt uncomfortable for all the people sitting around us. Plus my brother got the bill and it wasn't cheap for a simple "pizza dinner" involving kids. I think they are adult restaurants, that's my opinion.

If you have a group of young children that act like young children, and don't want to be nervous at what they might be doing, rush because they are too young to sit still, and then get a bill over $100 for "pizza", then I'd advise waiting until they are older, or go with maybe only 1-2 kids, or going early as they say.

RiverWester wrote:"pizza"

Surely you're not suggesting that what Spacca Napoli produces isn't pizza?