Naples Restaurants: Grappino Regional Italian Cuisine Grows Aielli Empire

Fabrizio Aielli is chef and owner to three of Naples’ most prominent restaurants: Sea Salt, Dorona and Barbatella.

Last week, he welcomed a fourth into the fold, Grappino, with a menu focused on Italian comfort foods.

“It’s a very classic, very homey Italian menu,” Ingrid Aielli said.

Fabrizio’s wife and business partner, Ingrid has helped launch Grappino, train the staff and keep everything running upright.

Grappino occupies the space on U.S. 41 North near NCH Healthcare that formerly housed Timeless that shuttered in late June after less than two years.

This new restaurant is just one of the additions contributing to the progress happening in this part of town, labeled by some as the Design District, from the opening of Baker Park and the Naples Square condominiums, to the eventual ground breaking for Gulfshore Playhouse down the street.

“We are very excited to be part of this district,” Ingrid said.

“And we thought this concept, the homey Italian restaurant, would be a good fit for this neighborhood.”

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