Song E’ Napule, recently named to 50 Top Pizza’s list of the best pizzerias in the U.S., has opened a new and bigger location on Houston Street, the same street in New York City that hosts the acclaimed pizzeria’s original location. But what makes this new store truly different? It boasts an outdoor Neapolitan lemonade stand for hot, thirsty passersby.
Song E’ Napule, owned by the Neapolitan food entrepreneur Ciro Iovine, was ranked No. 9 on the 50 Top Pizza list released last month. From the menu to the décor, it offers a full Neapolitan experience; as in the original location, jerseys of players from Napoli’s soccer team hang everywhere in the building, along with Capri-style tables, a huge San Gennaro mural, the famous “Cuore di Napoli” sign and Neapolitan expressions and quotes.
Customers don’t even have to enter the new restaurant to feel the Neapolitan vibes. Next to the outdoor tables, a cart will serve that aforementioned special lemonade from Naples for clients and passers-by to try.
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According to a press release, Song E’ Napule is the first to bring the “limonata a cosce aperte” to the U.S. The drink derives its name—which in English would be translated as “lemonade to drink with open thighs”—from the way Italians drink it on the street. The lemonade is made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, sparkling water and a pinch of baking soda added right before it’s served. The baking soda makes the lemonade overflow, and that’s why it must be drank quickly and usually standing with your legs apart to keep them from getting wet.
Song E’ Napule founder Ciro Iovine and his wife, Austria
Of course, the new location will also serve its famous Neapolitan pizza, along with authentic and traditional Italian dishes, wines and beers.
The new location is bigger than the neighboring original venue: Between indoor and outdoor tables, it can host up to 100 people, and one long indoor table can accommodate dinners for big groups. And the space will appeal to big groups because of its party atmosphere, especially at night, when modern music is played. Rapper 50 Cent recently chose the new venue as his dinner spot to enjoy a New York spring night and dine out with his friends and Iovine.
Iovine has made it his life mission to export the Neapolitan culture and pizza around the globe. He traveled to New York, fell in love with the city, and decided to stay and accomplish his dreams in the concrete jungle. Starting in 2015, he opened two Song E’ Napule locations in New York City and, later, another one in Rutherford, New Jersey.
Now, with his fourth restaurant, Iovine says, “Here I feel like I have finally reached my goal. I truly feel at home here, and I hope that people will see it the same way.”
