Naples Italian Restaurant

           We have pretty much all seen the oh-so romantic spaghetti scene in Disney’s “The Lady and the Tramp.” There may just be something about Italian dining that is just naturally romantic. Naples Restaurant located on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, TN is quite the romantic location to dine, but I can testify that it is just as delicious even if you are just with your parents and not the girl of your dreams. From the moment you walk through those double doors you are greeted with the smile of a gracious host, a fine selection of wine behind the bar to the left, and a wall that is covered from floor to ceiling in more plaques and awards than Peyton Manning’s trophy case.

            If you are really in the mood to impress your date, there are two small, private dining rooms available upon quest. “The Wine Cellar” and “The Blue Room” are the names of the two private rooms, but I would certainly call for reservations beforehand if I intended to snag one of those rooms. Once you are seated at your table, strap it tight, because this is not your average Olive Garden Italian experience! The appetizers sounded delicious, but personally I did not give them a try, because I knew what I was going to be saving room for. I ordered Spinach Lasagna, my mom ordered the Traditional Lasagna, and my dad ordered a generous helping of your Classic Spaghetti. Although we got your typical Italian dinner, there are really a lot of very interesting dishes that are offered by Naples. Some of these dishes include Eggplant Parmesan, Shrimp Scampi, and the highly recommended Roasted Duck.

            While we anxiously waited for our meals, I could not help but admire the atmosphere of the restaurant. One of the things that I believe all of the “Knoxville’s Good Eats” have in common is that they are the whole package. What I mean by that is that they have great food, but they also have their own personalities that make the entire dining experience unique. How often do you see a table that is curtained off with blue lights seeping out from underneath? Any chain restaurant can dim their lights like Naples to create a more soothing and romantic mood, but you cannot recreate the character that generations of loyal customers bring to a local, iconic restaurant.

            Once the food arrived to the table I could barely contain my urge to dive face-first into the steaming plate of lasagna that was laid in front of me. It was quite pleasant, because I have had so many lasagna dishes that are so layered in cheese that it completely loses the fresh tomato and meats that the sauce brings to the dish. Not Naples! It was truly one of the most satisfying Italian dishes I’ve ever have, and I expect to have that same experience every time that I find myself fortunate enough to get the opportunity to dine there. The spaghetti that my dad did get into his mouth and not onto his shirt was said to be delicious, and my mom’s lasagna also got good reviews (although she admittedly filled up a little too much on the bread).

            The lasagna was certainly a two-notcher on the ol’ belt, but anyone who has ever had a desert at Naples knows that you cannot let the meal end with your bowl of pasta. You may feel like a glutton, but when that piece of Chocolate Italian Cream Cake is brought out you magically become hungry again! Remember how I said I didn’t get an appetizer because I knew what I wanted to save room for? Well, you guessed it! This is what I had in the game plan the whole time, and for good reason! Man this stuff is good! It may be chocolate overload for some people like my dad, but for my mom and me it was the icing on the cake of once again a great restaurant experience. Pun intended!

            Naples is hands-down one of the highest quality Italian restaurants that you will find in Knoxville. You can really taste the freshness of the ingredients in everything that you order from the bread to the pasta. It is a little on the pricey side, running you around $15 per person per entrée, but if you can afford it, it is well worth the money in my personal opinion. Hey, even if you cannot afford it as a broke college kid, just tell your parents you have to eat there for a school project and see what happens! You never know. Naples will be sure to impress you and whoever you choose to dine with no matter the occasion. Be prepared for a wait if you go in the evenings, but it is worth a bit of a wait for what you get once you sit down. If you are looking for the best local restaurant with the most authentic Italian food, look no further than Naples Restaurant. You will not be disappointed. Check it out, get a dish, and let me know what you think! As always, keep on eatin’ well, K-town.