A Taste of Naples in SoCal

Trattoria Neapolis

Inside an elegantly-sectioned, two-story salon, that wouldn’t look out of place on the cobblestoned streets of Naples, the team behind Trattoria Neapolis is on a mission to bring the flavours of Italy to the tables of sunny Pasadena.

The Italy-meets-Southern California eatery, which first-time restaurateur Perry Vidalakis spent 10 years planning, and which opened in July this year, has big plans – in addition to adding a late night and take out menu, there’s a front-of-house bottega in the works, along with a line-up of beer and wine tastings and pairings (from the respective sommeliers) and the launch of aperitivo, a.k.a. Italian happy hour.

In the meantime, the restaurant serves a traditional Neapolitan menu of handmade pastas and pizzas cooked to crisp perfection in a 7,000 pound wood-burning oven, and crowd favourites like arancini (lobster risotto balls), bistecca (Wagyu flatiron steak), and osso bucco speak to the culinary strengths of chef Bryant Wigger.

The drinks list is no less impressive or exhaustive – there are signature cocktails from American Bartender of the Year nominee Vincenzo Marianella, beers handpicked by curator Christina Perrozi, and wines chosen by sommelier Diego Meraviglia. Salute to being spoilt for choice!