We were looking for a decent place to have a family lunch that was midway between Jersey Mike's Arena and Philadelphia after my daughter's graduation from Rutgers was held there this week.
Almost dead-center, and only 5 minutes off our path, was "Taste of Naples - 206." It wasn't as fancy as I was hoping, but the reviews, photos, and the menu looked intriguing.
I called a few minutes ahead to let them know we would be a group of 8 coming for lunch; the response was "No problem".
When we arrived we were greeted by Maurizio, who arranged the tables and informed us that, "We normally do not have table service for lunch. But don't worry, I will be taking care of you!"
I did not find out until much later that he is the owner!
We ordered a large assortment of food including:
Rice Balls - 5/5
Fried Calamari - 3/5
Garlic Bread with Cheese - 5/5
A couple slices of tomato pie, mine with generous slices of buffalo mozzarella - 5/5
Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce 4/5
Caprese Panini - 3/5
Fettuccini 206 w/Broccoli rabe & sausage - 5/5
Eggplant Parmesan platter with the recommended Angel Hair pasta - 5/5 (and another star "6" for the fresh basil Maurizio gave me!)
Qualifier! I loved my meal of eggplant parmesan BECAUSE all the breading came off the eggplant. My daughter gave hers 4/5 for the same reason.
This is very likely to happen when real fresh eggplant, sliced thickly, is used. If you love the taste of eggplant, then this is for you! If you like your eggplant with crispy breading, this is not for you. You should go with the Chicken or Veal Parisian.
My recommendation to Maurizio is to make it the authentic Melanzane alla Parmigiana Neapolitan style, which is without breading.
Spaghetti and meatballs - 5/5
Cheeseburger and fries - 5/5 (Amazing for a local Pizza place!)
Ham, Salami, & Cheese Sub - 4/5
Cannoli - 5/5, maybe the best I have ever had!
Limoncello cake - 5/5
Tiramisu - 2/5 (it was frozen, but we took it home and it was still not great defrosted. Suggestion, order more cannoli!)
All the pastas, including the Angel Hair, which is so difficult to get just right, was cooked perfectly! All meals were served in a perfect execution for all to eat the hot meal set before them and was paced perfectly for us to decide we could still order deserts.
To balance off to an average of 5+ Stars for the overall experience I am giving Maurizio a 10/5 for his impeccable service to my family and me. What more can I say then, you would think that his own family stopped by for lunch.