Jan. 28, 2022
By Emily Melleno
Editor
If you are looking for authentic Italian pizza, you need not travel any further than Rutherford. New to the neighborhood is Song’E Napule. Having opened in December, this restaurant, which got its start in New York City in 2015, offers dishes to suit even the most refined taste buds.
When I first looked at Song’E Napule’s menu, my immediate thought was that it was organized and colorful. Even though the names of the categories and dishes are in Italian, it was easy to decipher. There is a description under every item, so even those who do not speak Italian can read the menu with ease.
The menu is broken down into antipasti and insalate (appetizers and salads), primi, secondi, cortorni (first, second and sides) and dolci (desserts). There is also a section of the menu dedicated to pizza, which is broken up into three sections: pizze rosse (pizza with red sauce), pizze bianche (pizza with no sauce) and pizze speciali (special pizzas).
I especially appreciated that all of the toppings were evenly distributed. In each bite, I was able to taste a little bit of everything.
I began my meal with the calamari fritti ($18), which was tasty but did not have a unique quality.
For my main course, I got the Capricciosa ($19), which is a pizze rosse. This pizza has tomato sauce, mozzarella, artichokes, basil, black olives, mushrooms, prosciutto cotto and extra virgin olive oil. The pizza is personal-sized with four slices.
I especially appreciated that all of the toppings were evenly distributed. In each bite, I was able to taste a little bit of everything. Also, the balance of cheese, crust, sauce and toppings set this pizza apart from the rest.
I enjoyed the soft crust but was disappointed that by the time I sat down to eat the pizza, which my dad picked up from the restaurant, it was cold. This surprised me since the pizza came in an insulated box.
The portions are good at Song’E Napule, but be ready to shell out some money, as my two-course meal cost $37 without tax and tip. For that reason, I would recommend Song’E Napule for a special occasion where one can sit inside the restaurant and enjoy the decor that includes candles and flowers on the tables. Having tried an appetizer and pizza, it would be nice to see what the entrees and desserts have to offer.
