Naples 45, which was voted “Best Pizza” in this year’s Midtown Lunch Readers’ Poll, has entered the Midtown Lunch Sandwich Challenge with a “Polpetini” sandwich (which just means mini-meatballs). When I first posted about the sandwich last week, commenters remarked (correctly) that a meatball sub wasn’t exactly “sandwich challenge” material, but a deal is a deal. So last week, I went to check out this “polpetini”, thinking that this better be the best meatball sub ever if they want to impress the Midtown Lunch eating public…

Served in the take out section of the restaurant the polpetini are pre-made (understandable, but regrettable), and cost $8.95 (regrettable and not understandable.) So let’s quickly talk about the good (because I like to be positive)… the bread is really good, and the meatballs were pretty tasty. Mozzarella *and* provolone… fresh basil… Neapolitan meatballs (made with pine nuts, bread, herbs, and spices)… it’s all good. And there is no denying it is a tasty sandwich. But $9?!? For a 6″ long sandwich? With 4 mini meatballs!?! Dios mio man. That’s just not going to cut it… did they even see Lazzara’s fried calamari sandwich? Shit, even Lazzara’s normal meatball sandwich puts this to shame… and that’s just on their normal menu. This was supposed to be a sandwich “challenge”. Something new and exciting.

Don’t get me wrong, if you’re treating the Midtown Lunch Sandwich Challenge as a checklist, by all means get the sandwich once. It’s clearly made from quality ingredients, and there is no denying it tastes good. But unless they discount this thing after 2pm (ala their famous pizza specials) I don’t see myself heading back for a second.

Naples 45, 200 Park Ave. (on 45th btw. Park+Mad),   212-972-7000

Dear Zach,

The article about Naples 45 posted [Wednesday] on Midtown Lunch saddens us, as the afternoon slice discount has always been a program of goodwill towards the community.The price of flour has gone up four times over the past 12 months, and the dollar is at a record low against the Euro — which means that the Italian ingredients that we import to make our authentic Neopolitan pizza (San Marzano tomatoes, Italian low-gluten wheat flour) have gone up multifold. We have been forced to raise the price of the afternoon special slice to $1.75 from $1.25 (available after 2 PM).

But we are still keeping the price at under $2 — whereas elsewhere in the city slices have similarly gone up and many charge up to $3 (see a recent article in The New York Times here.)

Patina Restaurant Group

It’s all fun and games until somebody gets saddened.  All Some kidding aside though, as much as I’d like to get sarcastic and tear this email to shreds, I do feel bad for these restaurants who are forced to find a balance between the rising cost of goods on one side, and cheapo bastards with blogs on the other side.  It also helps to know that commenters will probably do it for me. 

Naples 45 Pizza Deal. Photo taken (what seems like) 17 years ago. 

While Z Deli was rolling back the prices on their slice, it appears as if Naples 45 was doing the opposite. Originally you could get a $1.25 slice after 2pm at Naples 45.  At some point it was raised to $1.50, but now it appears as if the price has increased again.  And this guy sounds super pissed: 

“Needed a quick pizza fix and remembered your mention of this late lunch special. Guess what?? The price was $1.70… $1.90 with tax. True, it was tasty… but the ‘magic’ is definitely gone. And I’m sorry, the price of oil to blame is bogus.. they are just milking the attention your site gave ‘em. That’s my opinion. Even worse, I’m still hungry. Grrrrr.”

Dude… don’t blame this shit on me. It *is* probably this country’s dependence on foreign oil. Yeah, that sounds right.

Woorijip’s new sushi subterfuge, after the jump… 

Blondie and Brownie have uncovered a sushi inconsistency at Woorijip.  The same $3.50 that got you 10 pieces of sushi last month, now only gets you 9.  Shocking?  Yes, but not nearly as bad as the banchan controversy that’s been brewing over Ambrosia.  We noted last month how Ambrosia, the deli on 45th btw. 5+6th with Korean food in the back, has been seriously skimping on their banchan (the little Korean side dishes you get with your meal.)  Another reader has sent in a more recent photo, and from the looks of it, it may be getting better:

Clearly the selection isn’t what it once was, but I like the look of the choices (is that jap chae?) and the portions are clearly in bigger containers.

Got something you want to complain about? Email it to zach@midtownlunch.com

Of course, there are occasions when I do go for a “late lunch”.  Usually these days coincide with times when there is some sort of free food in the kitchen to serve as a mid-morning snack, or I’ve eaten a late or extra large breakfast.  On these days, I get to take advantage of all the late lunch specials that midtown has to offer.  If you can wait to eat, there are some great deals to be had in Midtown and hands down, my favorite is Ho Yip.  I have a soft spot for cheap chinese food, and I love by the lb. buffets- but the price always kills me.  Ho Yip solves this by lowering their price after 2:15pm.  A great deal, and my favorite place to eat a late lunch.  I’ve also heard that alot of chain delis charge less for pre-packaged sandwiches at a certain time.   

A few months ago, a reader tipped me off to another one of these late lunch specials.  Naples 45, a nice sit down pizza place in Midtown, lowers their take out slices to $1.25 after 2pm.  For months I have been waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of this deal… and finally last week I was looking for something to eat around 2pm- so I headed over to Naples 45 to check it out.

What I found, pizza porn and the +/- after the jump…

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Naples 45.  99 Cent Fresh Pizza on 43rd btw. Lex+3rd Ave. is hands down the best Pizza deal in Midtown… but it’s 99 cent pizza.  Great for the price, but not the best pizza you’ve ever had.  Charge the standard Midtown rate ($2-$2.50) and there probably wouldn’t be many takers.  Plus there are no toppings… just cheese.  I was banking on Naples 45 to be different.  These are slices that normally cost $2.75 apiece.  The cheapness is only related to the time of day… so in theory, the pizza should be great.

Well, I have to say, my expectations were totally met.  To find the cheap pizza, you have to enter through the doors of 200 Park Ave.  Once inside the lobby of the building, you’ll find a two door entrance into Naples 45.  The main dining room to the left, or the to go area on the right.  In the to go area, you’ll find a number of different square pies, all for $1.25 a slice after 2pm.  And here’s the best part of the deal- the slices have toppings.  And some of them have a lot of toppings.  On the day I was there, they had the standard mozarella, red sauce and basil- in addition to a white pizza, a roasted vegetable pizza, a pepperoni pizza and a ham with mozzarella pizza.  All of them, $1.25 a slice.

With toppings like pepperoni, fresh mozzarella and ham, the pizza doesn’t even have to taste that good for $1.25 a slice… but these pies happen to be pretty tasty.   And the slices are not skimpy either.  Each pie is cut into 6 fairly generous sized pieces (bigger than the Sullivan St. Bakery pizza).  The only negative thing I can say is that the crust on the outside of the pizza was not as good as the crust below the cheese and toppings- so if given the opportunity I would definitely request a center slice of whatever pie you order.

My biggest fear about the pizza deal at Naples 75 was that the deal was meant to get rid of pizza they hadn’t sold during lunch, so a) the pizza wouldn’t be fresh, and b) it would run out quickly.  Both of these fears were unfounded, because- and here’s another great thing- the pizza deal lasts from 2pm to 8pm!!!  That’s right… they keep bringing out fresh pies, and selling the slices for $1.25, until 8pm… making this not only the best late lunch deal in Midtown- but also the best early dinner meal.  (And of course, let’s not forget about the all important mid-day snack!)

THE + (what someone who likes this place would say)

• $2.75 pizza, for $1.25
• The pizza has really sweet toppings (unlike other cheap pizza in Midtown, which is usually just cheese)
• I really like square pizza
• Did I mention it’s only $1.25?

THE – (what someone who doesn’t like this place would say)

• You have to wait until 2pm for the cheaper price to kick in
• I’d rather pay extra and get the square pizza from the Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck
• I hate a great deal (???)

Naples 45 To Go, 200 Park Ave. (45th btw. Park+Vanderbilt), 212-972-7001