Napulè Pizza on Mount Ephraim is a new Italian eatery and takeaway that’s offering a genuine selection of delicious classic Italian street food. Eileen Leahy finds out more…
Pizzas are one of the most popular takeaway choices, but let’s face it, the majority of the offerings from the big pizza chains are hardly authentic. Cheese-filled crusts and dubious toppings are certainly a far cry from the simple original Margherita style – which is thought to have been invented in Naples, Italy, in 1889.
Culinary legend has it that the Margherita was invented by Raffaele Esposito, a chef at Naples restaurant Pizzeria Brandi in the 19th century. The pizza was allegedly created to represent Italy’s unification. The three toppings – basil, mozzarella, and tomato respectively – reflect the green, white, and red of the Italian flag.
However, many dispute this, citing the fact these key ingredients were being commonly used elsewhere in the country. Whatever the truth may be, the fact is that a decent pizza is something to savour.
And although thousands of variations have been created over the centuries all over the world, the traditional hallmarks of a classic pizza: a stone-baked sourdough base and good quality tomato sauce and mozzarella are still the key ingredients to great tasting pizza – however you choose to enhance it.
And now Napulè Pizza, a new business based on Mount Ephraim, which opened earlier this year aims to offer a true taste of Italy to the discerning diners of Tunbridge Wells, upgrading a takeaway pizza into an exciting and delicious delivery option.
“We are bringing Neapolitan sourdough pizza to Tunbridge Wells,” declares Napulè’s owner Ado.
But it’s not just classic pizzas that are on the menu he adds. “We also offer pizzas with a twist, too and lots more traditional Italian treats.”
This includes home-baked rosemary focaccia sandwiches and ‘pane Pugliese’ toasties, generously filled with the best Italian meats and cheeses, all cut on-site.
There are also classic antipasto dishes with cured hams, fresh olives and mozzarella to feast on, as well as panko-breadcrumbed calamari and a variety of flavoured toasted garlic breads.
The business also offers both vegetarian and vegan pizzas too and after having sampled some of them in the Times office a couple of weeks ago I can certainly testify that they all tasted absolutely amazing! So fresh and so flavoursome and a million times better than a chain offering – Napulè Pizza offers authentic Italian fare with flair.
The menu at Napulè also includes selected fresh salads as well as made-to-order fruit and vegetable juices – which means they are as pure and fresh as you can get.
But it’s not just a takeaway offering, as there is also a cute bijou dining area at Napulè’s HQ, too.
And because Napulè Pizza has a drinks licence the team can deliver a range of wines, beers, ciders, and just-add-ice cocktails to complement your meal of choice.
And ordering couldn’t be simpler for customers as the company has developed its own special app and website ordering platform where you can find the best offers. Currently, Times readers can benefit from a 20 per cent discount (see page 26). Alternatively, customers can place their orders through Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats platforms.
“We welcome these orders too, still delivered with our in-house trained drivers,” explains Ado.
“Order a collection via our app or pop in for a takeaway or even a quick eat-in.
“Local at heart, making orders by hand and delivering them ourselves through our in-house fast and reliable delivery service, we are 100 per cent in control of your order.”
It’s no wonder then that the Napulè Pizza slogan is ‘From dough to door’.
