Taste of Napoli Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Morehead City

Let me start by saying every person has bad days. This extends to every restaurant as well. Although my experience was less than ideal, yours may not be the same.

I have mixed feelings at best with my dining experience here. Based on the mostly stellar reviews I had high hopes which were quickly brought to earth.

The place was totally empty of customers on a Wednesday at lunchtime in February, but even popular spots have off hours. I didn’t worry too much about it.

The waitress greeted us at the door, not with much enthusiasm, but a greeting. Maybe I should have known when we asked to eat al fresco and she was like, “Sure, I guess I can follow you outside.” that there might be some issues.

Later, when we expressed concerns over the quality of the food she didn’t seem to really care and never brought it to anyone’s attention, or if she did, they never came out to the table.

On to the main course… I find that if a place has good sides and sandwiches, the rest of the food is usually good as well.

So, I ordered the Fried Zucchini and the Arancini. My companion got the Cheesesteak with Fries. When it arrived at the table it all looked very appetizing. If only it had all tasted that way.

The Arancini with Tomato Sauce was the highlight for me. I have zero complaints with that dish. The stuffed rice balls were done to perfection and the tomato dipping “sauce” was rich and nicely seasoned. I could see that being served by itself as Zuppa di Pomodoro with some of their freshly baked bread.

However, the Zucchini Fries were so salty I couldn’t finish them and I am often told I oversalt my food. They looked freshly made in-house and tasted like it. The consistency and texture of the breading was a little thick but not to the point it overwhelmed the vegetable. That salt tho !

Also, on the menu it says Fried Zucchini, but they are Zucchini FRIES. They are not the same thing. Are fried potatoes French Fries? Proper descriptions are important on a menu. Anyway…

Speaking of fries, both the regular French Fries and the Zucchini version tasted like fish. Due to mixed frying or old oil, I don’t know, but my friend didn’t eat her fries because of the taste. This is a basic rookie kitchen mistake you expect from a greasy spoon, not from fine dining.

Besides the fries, the Cheesesteak was a mixed bag. The meat and cheese and bread part were delicious. The au jus soaked into the bread created an amazing doughy and savory sensation. The greens were green but had seen better days. I personally would not have plated or served them. The tomatoes didn’t seem fresh either and had no flavor to speak of.

The outside patio area was very nicely done. Fans mounted above for use on warmer days and lights strung up for the evenings. Hedges have been planted around the area and were full of birds singing. In a few more years, they will probably block most of the noise and view from Mayberry Loop and North 20th street. There is even a grape arbor with a Scuppernong vine and another Argentinian variety.

One final issue came up when paying the bill. The waitress had added an extra $ 10 dollar drink to the ticket. Whether mistake or mischief, I don’t know, but totally unacceptable. Keep in mind, we are the ONLY customers here at the time. You can’t keep one ticket straight?

So that’s it. I truly had high hopes here and got more of a dog’s breakfast instead.

I might go back again someday and get just the Cheesesteak WITHOUT fries or veggies, but I can’t honestly recommend A Taste of Napoli to anyone else at this time.

2.5 of 5 stars.

Sadly Signing Off. Still in search of my new favorite...

Twice in the last week, I have eaten at Taste of Napoli. Both times, shamefully I went in towards closing time…. I know exactly how that feels I promise… Despite this, I was welcomed happily. Greeted as if I was a regular, and was given such wonderful service. ❤️ I hadn’t looked at any reviews, it was actually a friend of mine that suggested that I try this restaurant. You see, as a business owner myself, I realize exactly what the internet is doing these days. It gives folks an audience to air their grievances and most times in the most degrading of ways sadly. When the individuals posting them have made ZERO effort to actually communicate with someone in the leadership role so that they may actually make the effort to rectify the situation. It was only after I had eaten here twice within a week AND placed an order to go on a third day that I decided to read the reviews. The majority of which are stellar! 👏🏼 However there are some that I literally had to roll my own eyes at some of them… My first meal, the owner himself took to the kitchen to prepare and even serve to me. 🍽️ We sat at the bar, and he lingered to provide what was the most wonderful visit that was so full of laughter. I cannot convey what a wonderful visit that was!!! Food and service was phenomenal especially considering I entered his restaurant with only 30 minutes before closing time. The second visit the owner’s son was there, he prepared my meal and it was so amazing. Best Shrimp Fra Diavolo that I have had in a very long time. Just the right amount of heat! 🔥🦐 TRUE AUTHENTIC NAPOLITAN FOOD. I see where some “reviewers” mentioned Olive Garden in comparison… THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON WHEN YOU KNOW TRUE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE. Another “reviewer” mentioned McDonald’s would have been better. They clearly have bumped their head. I then was so truly appalled to see another “reviewer” question if their experience was due to the color of his wife’s skin. They should truly learn the history of the people from Napoli, and how the rest of Italy views them. That would completely dispel his theory…but I digress. I for sure know truly authentic Italian cuisine, I cook it OFTEN in my own kitchen. Taste of Napoli has a customer for life with me. The staff, the atmosphere, the food was exactly what I had hoped for. For the other reviewers… When you leave such reviews that jeopardize the livelihoods of your local small businesses without first allowing them to try to fix the issues, then you are truly the ones offering subpar customer service. We are all living in this world together and should be building instead of tearing down. Taste of Napoli and Mike…. Boro Girl ❤️’s and...

I was in the area and looked up local Italian restaurants because I was wanting pasta. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately as we were the only customers there. When I asked about a kids' menu, the server informed me that while they didn't have a physical menu, they did offer options like chicken tenders and fries, spaghetti with meatballs, or garlic butter noodles.

I ordered the chicken tenders and the server asked if we wanted any dipping sauce. I asked for honey mustard, she said they didn’t have that. I asked for bbq sauce and she said the only thing they have is ranch. So I said okay just one will be with ranch. To my surprise, we were charged $2 for two small cups of ranch, which had been presented as the default dipping sauce. When I questioned this, the server, who was new and otherwise professional, apologized and said she would check with her boss about removing the charge. Keep in mind you can buy an entire bottle of range for less than $2.

Upon reviewing the receipt further, I noticed discrepancies between the prices listed on the restaurant's website and what I was charged. Garlic bread listed at $6 online was billed at $7, bolognese at $16 was charged at $18, drinks at $2.50 were billed at $3, and tiramisu at $7 was charged at $8. There was no indication of the price for the kids' menu items. Keep in mind when I went up there I was super nice and was just like “hey I have another quick question, I just noticed the menu prices show this but I was charged this….” When the manager walked up he rudely says “look I’m already doing you a favor by taking the ranches off for you. I was like well it was offered as if it was included. Technically both of them were still sitting on the table unused as well which I’ll attach the photos.

Then when I show him his website of the prices he says “well those aren’t our updated prices, the updated prices you were charged we’ve had for a while. I told him I’m not sure how long they’ve been in place because that was the first time I had ever been there. But that it’s fine just go ahead and charge the new prices, but I did want to at least ask just Incase there was a glitch in the computer or something.

The manager's hostile and defensive demeanor was off-putting, especially as I had calmly and respectfully asked about the pricing. While the food was acceptable, it was not exceptional, and the overall experience left much to be desired. I now understand why the restaurant was empty if this is indicative of how they treat their customers.

I am disappointed with my visit and would caution others to be wary of potential pricing discrepancies and unprofessional...