Lina Stojani, Napoli’s Italian Fine Cuisine co-owner, said she would spend every day at her restaurant if she could.
The eatery is run by family and friends, with Lina’s husband and co-owner, Giovanni, working as head chef and their nephew assisting in the kitchen. The couple’s two sons, along with some of their friends, staff the eatery as cooks and waiters.
The Stojanis founded their first restaurant in Mesquite, near Dallas, in 2007. They opened the Bee Cave restaurant in 2011.
The couple’s Italian heritage is featured in the neighborhood establishment. Lina said she is from Italy’s Tuscany region, and her parents had a small restaurant when she was growing up. She and Giovanni met in Sicily before moving to New York City in 2005.
The family brings the taste of Italy to the people of Bee Cave—an area that Lina said she loves. They live across the street from Napoli’s—in Lake Pointe—which makes their daily commute easy, they said.
“The area is so very friendly, and all our neighbors are very nice,” Lina said. “I’m glad to make my work my home.”
The Stojanis recently chose to reserve the establishment’s Monday hours for events only.
Vicky’s Special ($12.95) features pasta, chicken and vegetables in a white wine sauce.[/caption]
“We decided to make Mondays for family time and close that day,” she said. “But I’m so happy when businesses call for reservations on Monday so we can come into the restaurant.”
Tucked away in a small shopping center on Bee Caves Road, Lina said she greets customers as if they were old family friends. She said customer favorites include the Giovanni Special ($19.95)—mussels, shrimp, lobster and clams in a cream sauce over linguini—and Vicky’s Special ($12.95)—penne pasta combined with chicken, spinach, cheese and a white wine sauce.
The Bee Cave restaurant offers patrons an outdoor dining option.[/caption]
“If you ask me [to select] my favorite [dish], I can’t choose just one,” Lina said. “I eat here every day for every meal.”
On weekdays lunch specials start at $5.95, and happy hour runs from 2-6 p.m., with beer priced at $3 and wine priced from $5. Half-priced bottles of wine are offered on Tuesdays.
11905 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 100, Bee Cave 512-263-0455 www.napolisbeecave.com Hours: Tue.-Thu., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed Mon.
