Hospitable transplants from Italy launched a North Naples restaurant last week to share the Italian cuisine they grew up enjoying.  

Husband and wife Enrico and Angela Esposito, both born and raised in Bacoli, a small town in Naples, Italy, quietly opened Trattoria Angela on Nov. 7 next to Paragon Theaters in The Pavilion shopping center on the northwest corner of Vanderbilt Beach Road and U.S. 41.  

Their new local restaurant brightens up a longtime local dining spot that most recently was Casa Nostra and Trattoria Abruzzo Italian restaurants but was the Bohemian Schnitzel House years ago.

Popular pasta dishes include linguine with clams and Spaghetti Miseno, which features a light cherry tomato sauce and mussels. In addition to antipasti, salad and house-made pasta selections, the restaurant has meat and seafood dishes such as breaded veal, grilled branzino, Chicken Marsala and Salmon Piccata.  

“We have nice daily specials also,” Enrico Esposito said. “The menu is not big so we can change it to do as much as we can.”  

Until their wine and beer license is approved, the Espositos are offering a complimentary glass of wine with meals. 

The restaurant has 50 seats divided between indoor and outdoor dining in a space that could seat more. “We want to make it comfortable for the staff and for the guests,” Esposito said. “We don’t have customers at Trattoria Angela; we have guests. This is our house.”  

Trattoria Angela, 835 Vanderbilt Beach Road, is open for dinner this month 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Starting in December for season, the restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday and close Sundays. Lunch service may eventually be added Fridays and Saturdays, Esposito said.