The main reason I decided to visit Naples was to try real neapolitan pizza. Liz Gilbert (of “Eat, Pray, Love”) went to Da Michele for her pizza. On the advice of a Napolitano I met yesterday, I decided to try Sorbillo. And ooohmygahd the stress of the experience!! I arrived right at noon, just as the doors were opening. The 70 people abandoned any semblance of a line and rushed to cram themselves through the narrow door. Think American Black Friday sale chaos! The entrance had to be managed by 3 burly and stern Italian men! I didn’t bother being civil and cut the line by attaching myself to a group of Asians. When we finally got in, I broke away and asked for a table for one. After a considerable pause, the receptionist directed me to another room “for small groups”. The receptionist in that room said he had no table for one, so he sent me upstairs. The receptionist upstairs consulted his colleague who shook his head. He was about to send me back downstairs when I put my foot down; so he shrugged and pointed to the remaining free table. As the only solo diner in the entire multi-level pizzeria, I was the subject of pitying looks from fellow diners (pointing and staring) and come-ons from my server (number requests and a kiss on the cheek(!!!)). I like to think solo dining is my jam, and I normally am immune to the fears that some people have about dining alone, but this experience tested my skills!! … BUT, about the pizza, holy gluten was it all worth it!! The crust was so thin, light, and crepe-like in the center; soft and chewy at the periphery. I had the funghi and asked for fresh greens on top. Not usually done, but might as well milk a flirty waiter. I ate the entire thing and could have had more. Pitying stares be damned.
Solo Dining in Naples
