Bella Napoli and my quest for chicken parm
Lunching out has become a regular activity now. It's odd that now the economy is in a hole, I eat out for lunch more. This is mostly the result of not sleeping enough and that is the result of too much xbox 360. No time to sleep = no time to pack lunch. Scientists have shown it's possible to spend an unreasonable amount of time discussing how to create a NBA 2k9 dynasty. Seriously, last night we got the Knicks to trim like 70 million in payroll in the game, in one year. How awesome would that be if it could be possible in real life?! Anyway, so I've been taking a liking to eating my sandwiches with gravy. Wait, that's not gravy, those are tears shed over my dwindling retirement savings. Epic, epic fail. Obviously if I'm going to stuff myself, might as well do it right. And when I walked by the Bella Napoli last week, it was a good time to stuff my face.
Chicken parm is getting expensive these days. On Bella Napoli's menu, it lists chicken parmagiana hero at $8.50, but that day it was on sale for $7.50. Maybe their business has gone down since the troubles on Wall St. and especially at the former Lehman Brothers (which is across the street). Business seemed ok when I went, there was a fast moving line filled mostly with guys sporting a tie.
The chicken parm at Bella Napoli is meatier than the one at Lazzara. You can actually see the chicken when you look at the sandwich. Pretty amazing yea? The chicken was pre-fried and for $7.50 it probably would be too much to ask for freshly fried chicken parm. The downfall of this method is that no matter how you heat it up, the chicken parm will never be crisp again. Despite the lack of softened crust, the sandwich was hearty and filling. There was no dryness in the pre-fried chicken and the sauce was mild as not to overpower your taste buds.
The slice of plain at $2.75 represents an average price for a slice these days. Thin crust with no visible char on the bottom, this slice looked like many other average slices in the city. The sauce was a tad too sweet and dominated each bite.
While I enjoyed my chicken parm hero, I could not say the same about the plain slice. It wasn't bad per se but I was just ambivalent about most of it and thought the sauce could have been more mellow. If you visit Bella Napoli I would say stick to the sub and you can leave feeling full.
Let's play t-shirt give-away round two. I'm going to give out another t-shirt this week. Rules are simple. If you already have one, you can't play. There's a few of you out there... you know who you are. For everyone else, to enter the content, just comment with your favorite Fall food. I will pick a winner randomly Sunday night (10/19). Only one winner and please live in NY because I don't want to pay shipping :( And last time your odds were good, one out of five. I suspect the odds will be just as good this time.
Bella Napoli
150 W 49th St.
New York, NY 10020
212-719-2819
Butternut squash soup, by far. And not that junk that's loaded with sugar, but a nice savory soup with a dollop of sour cream on top...Damn me for avoiding dairy these days. And since I do NOT live in New York, I won't beg for a shirt, I just love Fall food.
Alicia
October 16, 2008 2:56 am
I love all things thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potato pie, and all the rest.
Jonathan
October 16, 2008 9:04 am
Is it lame to say apples? Cuz I like apples. I'm not against pumpkins, gourds, that kind of stuff but they don't really stand out for me. Ooh, I like soups and curries but those aren't really fall-like either. Ok, whatever. Maybe I won't enter.
PS After two days of no communication, my boyfriend called me, and I picked up with, "Hi, I was just telling my friend you haven't called me in two days," and he responded "Did you forget that I just bought an Xbox 360?" Oops, I did forget. Hahaha I don't know the next time I will see him...
Yvo
October 16, 2008 11:16 am
asian pears and sweet potatoes!! I especially love the sweet potatoes when they roast them from a huge barrel full of charcoal on the street. YUMMMY!
ambitious
October 16, 2008 11:29 am
Chili, hands down. And sorry, Illinois. And not even Chicago. ::boo::
Jane
October 16, 2008 11:22 pm
Knife Sliced Noodles (Dao Shao Mien)! October is not too hot nor too warm for some of them KSN =)
Steve
October 17, 2008 4:31 am
I love apple pies, pumpkin pies, pecan pies, pear tarts etc etc. Also love sweet potatoes (but I eat that year round?!) Sheperd's pie, bangers & mash, curries, stews (all kinds, fish, lamb, chicken etc.)
I also love stuffing! But I never get that until X'mas... And I love all the Chinese soups that are supposedly good for you in the fall. Don't know if this constitutes "fall" food (seems more wintry), but I love casseroles too! Not a huge fan of turkey, but don't mind leftover turkey...
Ok, I live in Hong Kong, I won't mind if you exclude me... :)
Veronica
October 17, 2008 5:09 am
Oh me! Pick me! If you replace "xbox 360" with "food missions" we could be the same person. Um, fall food=chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
Blondie
October 17, 2008 7:40 pm
Stuffed Peppers... made by my mom. Nothing beats 'em.
Jessica
October 20, 2008 12:34 pm
The random number generator came up with 3. Since Jonathan and Steve weren't eligible that meant that the commentor, ambitious was the winner.
Danny
October 20, 2008 10:55 pm
hey man,
long time no speak. how you been?
the best chicken parm ive had in midtown is from tuscany catering on 55th b/t 5th and 6th avenue
the key is getting it on a baguette not the italian hero
check it out:
http://nycfoodguy.com/2008/01/02/secret-lunch-spot-in-midtown-at-tuscany-catering/
NYCFoodGuy
October 22, 2008 4:32 pm
fav fall food? butternut squash, pomegranates,apples
mary
November 16, 2008 1:09 pm