UPDATE 10/11/2014
We ordered a pizza for take out and it had a thin crust and it was fantastic! Even better than the old Napoli’s pizza.
Viola’s Pizza, Pasta and Seafood has opened in the old Napoli’s Pizza location. Under new ownership and with a bit of remodeling they are open for business. They have reversed the bar so it looks out towards the street now and have given it a face lift and comfortable stools with backs. If you’re a local you know what we’re talking about. The whole place has gotten a fresh coat of paint and new tables, chairs and décor. It looks good!
They have a lot of the old familiar favorites on the menu from Napoli along with a few new additions.
We stopped in for the grand opening to try a pizza. Napoli’s was always one of my favorite pizza joints so I have been waiting patiently for the big day. The pie was good but it was definitely different than the Napoli pie. It has a much thicker chewier crust making the sauce and cheese taste less prominent. The owner mentioned they are working on keeping the thin crust of the past, so that may change once they have thrown their share of dough. As my grandmother from Naples said, “pizza dough has a mind of its own… you must learn to work with it, not against it.” I never did learn how to throw dough.
The couple sitting next to us ordered the Fried Calamari. They said it was fantastic and they loved that they also fried the banana peppers that came with it.
We stopped in early and saw plenty of familiar local faces there for Happy Hour. Happy Hour specials are $1.00 off draft beer and $1.50 off house wine.
If you have eaten here, please let us know what you think. we’ll keep you posted on our next pie.
Located at:
6149 A1A South.
Saint Augustine, Florida 32080
904-471-2981
My husband and I had dinner at Viola’s last night and unfortunately we were very, very disappointed. He had fish and chips and the coating on the fish had no taste at all….these folks don’t know how to use salt. When he asked for malt vinegar all they could find was red wine vinegar. The pasta salad that accompanied the fish and chips (where else do you get pasta salad with fish and chips?) was mushy and bland. It tasted old.
My chicken parmesian was so bad that the waitress noticed my not eating, came over to see what was wrong and took the plate away and the charge off the check. Too much inedible food on a very small plate. There must have been 1/2 a lb of spaghetti under the chicken. And if you like volume I think there were two chicken breasts on the plate. However, the sauce was tasteless, the coating on the chichen was flabby and also had no flavor. This entree was accompanied by garlic bread that smelled rancid.
Sorry Viola, you have to do better than this.
We’re so sorry you had such a disappointing experience at our restaurant. I want you to know we are using your comments as a training tool to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We have had overwhelming positive feedback on our food and strive for 100% guest satisfaction each and every time but unfortunately with your meal we let you down and sincerely apologize again. If you give us another opportunity to serve you, please ask for me and I personally will prepare your food and show you what most everyone else is raving about.
Sincerely,
Andy Viola
I personally think violas is the best new restaurant. The menu has something for everyone and you cant beat the portions they give you for the price!! The lasagna and pizza’s are to die for!! Also if you are looking for a different and delicious dessert…you have to try the fried cheesecake wrapped in pastry and rolled in powdered sugar and then topped with Carmel and chocolate, fresh bananas and vanilla ice cream. You will not be disappointed eating here!!!
I was a long time customer of Napoli’s so I was a little hesitant to try Viola’s. But I did last night and I am happy I did! I loved Napoli’s pizza but Viola’s is even better. Their crust is great, even though it is not super thin, it has a little crunch to it that I really liked. Monday’s are buy one pizza, get one half off, four hungry people ate two 16″ pizzas so obviously we all agree that it was good!
My husband and I went to Violas for the first time with our puppy, the staff was very friendly, the service was great! He had the pizza which was very good, but I had the veal Marsala which was to die for!!!! We will definitely go back the next time we are in St. Augustine. It was the best Italian food we have had in a long time.