Review: Campiello Naples – A Taste of Rustic Italian Elegance
Nestled in the heart of Naples, Florida, Campiello offers a refined yet inviting take on classic Italian cuisine. Housed in the historic Naples Mercantile Building, the restaurant blends old-world charm with contemporary sophistication, making it a sought-after dining destination for both locals and visitors alike.
The Ambiance
Upon entering, the warm glow of the open kitchen and the rustic-chic décor immediately set the stage for an authentic Italian experience. The outdoor patio, softly lit and adorned with lush greenery, provides an intimate yet lively setting, perfect for a leisurely meal. The service is polished yet approachable, with staff who are well-versed in the menu and eager to offer recommendations.
The Ravioli – A Delicate Balance of Comfort and Craft
For my main course, I opted for the ravioli, a dish that promised the richness of house-made pasta with a nuanced depth of flavor. The presentation was elegant—delicate pasta parcels arranged with precision, glistening under a velvety sauce that hinted at slow-simmered perfection.
The first bite confirmed the kitchen’s dedication to authenticity. The pasta was impeccably tender, yielding effortlessly to reveal a filling that was both creamy and deeply flavorful. The richness of the filling—possibly a blend of ricotta and braised beef—was complemented by the tangy sweetness of vin cotto and the aromatic depth of roasted shallots. A light drizzle of high-quality olive oil added a final touch of indulgence without overpowering the dish.
What stood out most was the balance—each element played its role without overshadowing the others. Unlike some Italian restaurants where sauces can be overly heavy, here the approach was refined, allowing the integrity of the ingredients to shine.
Final Thoughts
Campiello Naples excels in delivering a dining experience that feels both sophisticated and deeply comforting. The ravioli showcased a level of craftsmanship that is increasingly rare—thoughtfully prepared, beautifully executed, and undeniably satisfying.
While the restaurant’s menu offers an array of enticing options, this dish alone makes a compelling case for a return visit. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur of Italian cuisine or simply in search of a memorable meal, Campiello delivers on its promise of elevated rustic Italian dining.
Rating: 9/10 – A must-try for lovers of authentic Italian flavors and expertly...
Read moreMy wife and I had dinner here last night. We are snow birds in our third season and are enjoying our retirement. We were regular customers at Campiello’s during our first season. The food was reliable and service impeccable. Last year, we felt these standards start to slip so we reduced our patronage substantially. Our view is very basic, if you’re paying north of $200 for a meal, you deserve to be well treated and fed well.
We arrived 45 minutes early last night for an early 5 pm seating. The hostess was not empathetic and essentially said, go find a seat at the bar and come back at 5. Unfortunately, the bar was packed but there were quite a few tables available. Seems like it would have been an opportunity for us to buy a few drinks at the bar and sit at our table until they were ready to start serving. Thus begins our first criticism of this place. Restaurants should put ‘people persons’ in the host/hostess role. No one wants to feel as though they’re tourists in their own town and that’s what Campiello’s hosts are like. Way too snooty to be empathetic, way too snooty to greet you with a smile.
We came back at 5 and were seated on a nice, sidewalk facing table. Our server was Katie. Katie is the entire reason why we would give Campiello’s another chance at our business. She an obvious foodey with total command of the menu. Her service was impeccable and Campiello’s should consider themselves very lucky to have her.
We ordered two Campiello salads, two different pastas, desert, wine, and an espresso. My pasta (radiatorre with sausage) was Al Dente but way too salty. Someone was very heavy handed with the salt grinder. My wife’s pasta (gramigna alla amatriciana) was Al Dente but very fatty from the pancetta. Again, a little too heavy handed. The 2022 Chianti, salads, and bread service were excellent.
We will give this place one more try but I hope they change hostesses and up their...
Read moreI have dined at Campiello for over 15 years with my family. We love the food, the atmosphere and normally, the service. We have spent countless birthdays, New Years and other milestones at the restaurant for these reasons and feel that Campiello rates on an international level. Last night however, we were met with the most unprofessional attitudes we have ever experienced at a restaurant. We arrived early to have a drink at the bar while we waited for a table outside to celebrate my 30th birthday with close friends. When an appropriate table settled up their bill and continued to sit, without ordering anything more, the staff refused to notify them that there was a party waiting. When we voiced our questions and concerns to the hostess and managers, we were met with incredibly unprofessional attitude and rudeness. Instead of being apologetic, Sandy (one of the managers) simply made matters worse. Sandy threatened to kick us out of the restaurant for raising our voices and accused us of using foul language, which is far from the truth. When the table was finally set, we had to seat ourselves. At no point did a manager come over to the table to apologize, make amends or offer to take something off of the bill. We spent roughly $150 on drinks while waiting for our table and about another $700 at dinner and all we got was an apology from our server, who was the only professional staff member last night. To put it mildly, I am very disappointed to have experienced such horrendous treatment at a restaurant that I have loved in the past. I'm also embarrassed to have brought my friends to Campiello to celebrate. Lastly, I will seriously think twice about ever returning to the restaurant, despite the wonderful food and...
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