It was not exactly clear blue skies, but the light coming in through the windows felt so good that the whole afternoon seemed like a little bonus. In a back alley near Omotesando, I took my time with some wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, all to myself.
What kind of place is Napule?
An Italian spot in the backstreets of Minami-Aoyama, just a short walk from Omotesando Station, right next to Spiral. It is known as one of the first places in Japan to serve wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and apparently it opened back in 1999. I always pictured it as a long-standing place, but I did not realize it went back that far.
The interior is modeled after a trattoria, roughly a casual, unfussy eatery, in a southern Italian port town, with a warmth of wood that lets you relax without putting on airs. Lots of windows, too, so the light pours right in. That was one of the nicest parts.
A Tabletop Journey: Napule
From the entrance to pomegranate soda, pizza, and tiramisu. A dish-by-dish solo lunch record from Napule in Minami-Aoyama, near Omotesando.
5 items
The Entrance
The exterior tucked quietly into the alley. The arched entrance and the chalkboard menu propped outside set a lovely mood. I felt a little excited the moment I spotted it.
Organic Pomegranate Soda
A drink to start: pomegranate soda in a glass packed with ice. The ruby color was beautiful, it went down crisp and clean, and it was just right for that almost-summer warmth.
Salad
A salad piled with greens, with red leaves and cherry tomatoes mixed in for color. Having some vegetables before pizza makes me feel a little better about the rest of the meal.
Pizza★Star of the Day
Half-and-half: one side prosciutto and arugula, the other side margherita, I think. The crust, puffed up at the edges with a nice char, looked delicious on sight. Honestly, this was a bit much for one person.
Tiramisu★The Finish
To finish, tiramisu. Dusted with cocoa and powdered sugar, it had exactly that classic look. I was full, but dessert still found room.
Wrapping up
The weather was iffy, but the light through the windows felt so comfortable that it turned into a surprisingly cheerful lunch. The tiramisu at the end was a proper, substantial dessert, and I left fully satisfied.
Whenever I get a craving for good pizza around Omotesando, this is a place I would happily drop by again and again. Next time I want to come a little hungrier and have the pasta too.
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