Via Napoli: a new casual pizzeria in the Italy pavilion at Epcot, features a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. Nick Valenti, CEO of The Patina Restaurant Group, which also runs the Tutto Italia restaurant the Italy pavilion at Epcot, created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy. The architecture and design of the new pizzeria is based on a mix of traditional Italian styles and features the detailed touches for which Disney is famous.

Executive Chef Charlie Restivo poses with Mickey Mouse and a special Mickey-shaped pizza Aug. 5, 2010 during the grand opening of the authentic Neapolitan pizzeria in the Italy pavilion at Epcot World Showcase. Via Napoli, operated by Patina Restaurant Group, features wood-burning ovens – and will use water from a source that most resembles the water in Naples, Italy, home of some of the world’s best pizza dough. The 300-seat pizzeria features a menu inspired by the famous pizzerias of southern Italy. The menu also features pastas, salads, sandwiches and Italian wines.



Mickey Mouse; Dan Cockerell, Vice President of Epcot; Clay Shoemaker, Walt Disney World Ambassador; Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group; Joachim Splichal, Founder and Chairman of Patina Restaurant Group; and Minnie Mouse celebrate Aug. 5, 2010 during the grand opening of Via Napoli in the Italy pavilion at Epcot World Showcase. Via Napoli, operated by Patina Restaurant Group, features wood-burning ovens – and will use water from a source that most resembles the water in Naples, Italy, home of some of the world’s best pizza dough. The 300-seat pizzeria features a menu inspired by the famous pizzerias of southern Italy. The menu also features pastas, salads, sandwiches and Italian wines.



A new casual pizzeria in the Italy pavilion at Epcot, features a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. The pizzas are made with caputo flour imported from Southern Italy, San Marzano tomatoes, handmade mozzarella and water from a local spring just like in Italy’s Campania region – 10-inch, 20-inch or 1/2 meter to share.



Via Napoli, a new casual pizzeria in the Italy pavilion at Epcot, features a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. Nick Valenti, CEO of The Patina Restaurant Group, which also runs the Tutto Italia restaurant the Italy pavilion at Epcot, created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy. The menu also boasts a wealth of culinary delights from appetizers like arancini (fried balls of rice with mozzarella and beef ragou) to entrees/salads such as Manzo (filet of beef) with greens. And don’t forget dessert with everything from hot, crisp zeppole di Catarina, ricotta cheese fritters with chocolate sauce and whipped cream to the over-the-top coppa di brutti ma buoni, a vanilla gelato with Amarena cherries and “ugly but good” cookies.


Patina Restaurant Group has opened a new casual pizzeria, called Via Napoli, adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, its restaurant in the Italy pavilion in Epcot World Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. This becomes the first authentic Italian pizzeria to ever open in the park.

Restaurateur and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York which was awarded the coveted certification of “La Vera Pizza Napoletana.” While in Naples, Valenti spent time studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon. At Da Ettore, he discovered the art of pagnotiello, a folded round of pizza dough filled with mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.

“I have always loved the beauty of a simple Neapolitan pizza,” Valenti says. “It’s a perfect food, something beloved by both Italians and Americans. At Via Napoli we will make pizza the traditional Neapolitan way: with a textured, soft and charred crust. I look forward to bringing it to Walt Disney World, where it should be a welcome addition to guests visiting Epcot.”

Via Napoli features a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. Famed Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo serves as executive chef at Via Napoli, where he crafts the pies using simple and delicious Italian ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour, handmade fresh mozzarella, Parma Cotto, crumbled sausage and water calibrated specifically to the pH found in Naples.

“We’re excited to be working with the Patina Restaurant Group once again on this significant expansion project,” said Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot. “Via Napoli will certainly enhance the guest experience and the architectural landscape of World Showcase just in time for our 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.”

A unique feature at Via Napoli is the wood-burning ovens, which are named after the three active volcanoes in Italy – Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli. Each oven is sculpted with the “face of the volcano” -- reflecting the gods whose mythology surrounds each volcano’s history.

The architecture and design of the new pizzeria is based on a mix of traditional Italian styles, with the Florentine architect Stefano Nardini (of Magris & Partners) working in conjunction with Rick Swisher Architect to build it.

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