The Vurger bagel sandwich at Hoop Bagel & Salad in Naples, Italy, features a plant-based burger patty with caramelized onion, grilled pumpkin, tomatoes, lambs lettuce and vegan mayo. It is among a variety of vegetarian, vegan and meat sandwich offerings at the cafe. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
When Antonello Femiano and Valentina Pizzano would eat out, it was hard to find the fresh, light fare the couple craved among the standard Naples offerings of hearty but heavy pizza, pasta and panini.
“It was hard to find a good salad,” Femiano said.
That desire inspired Hoop Bagel & Salad, a modern but comfortable cafe featuring fresh juices, salads, bagel sandwiches and other food typically not found in nearby trattorias.
Located in the city’s Vomero neighborhood, the eatery features a casual, cozy dining area decorated in a bohemian, industrial motif with wood, galvanized metal and laminate-topped tables. The restaurant also has a location in the city’s Centro Storico, or historic district.
On a recent Thursday, the Vomero restaurant was bustling during lunch with full tables and the kitchen churning out an array of salads, sandwiches and soups to please meat eaters and vegetarians/vegans alike.
During our visit, my dining companion and I started our meal with Hoop’s homemade falafel, chickpea balls served with yogurt mayonnaise for dipping.
Made with Femiano’s own recipe, the falafel arrived warm with a deep-brown, crispy crust. The tender interior revealed visible flecks of herbs and a tasty but not overpowering flavor.
The tangy yogurt mayonnaise dip offered a nice accompaniment, but I preferred to enjoy the flavor of the falafel on its own.
We easily polished off the six pieces just moments before our salad and bagel sandwich were ready for pick-up at the cafe counter.
As a vegetarian, I was intrigued by Hoop’s large selection of no-meat sandwiches served on plain, sesame, multigrain or poppyseed bagels.
Offerings range from a vegan burger served with hummus, lettuce, tomato and vegan mayo to the restaurant’s namesake, Hoop, which features hummus, grilled pumpkin, mushrooms, lettuce and tomato.
Patrons at Hoop Bagel & Salad in Naples, Italy, can start their meal with a variety of appetizers, including hummus or falafel. Made from scratch, the falafel is served with a tangy yogurt mayonnaise dip. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
Hoop Bagel & Salad in Naples, Italy, offers an array of fresh salads, including a ratatouille version with couscous, diced vegetables, tomatoes, cheese, almonds and basil. Other salads include grains, such as rice and farro, accompanied by tuna, turkey, cheese and grilled or fresh vegetables and salad greens. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in desserts at Hoop Bagel & Salad in Naples, Italy, made by one of the owners. On a recent visit, the eatery offered its version of the Sacher torte, with a thin chocolate sponge topped with layers of apricot jam and creamy dark chocolate mousse. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
There also are offerings for meat eaters, including a smash burger and other sandwiches with tuna, salmon, prosciutto, cream cheese and assorted toppings.
I settled for the Vurger, a plant-based burger with caramelized onion, grilled pumpkin, tomatoes, lamb’s lettuce and vegan mayo.
The burger arrived on my choice of a toasted sesame bagel wrapped in paper for mess-free, easy eating. The patty was nicely cooked and well accented with the flavorful toppings.
It’s hard to find bagels in Naples, let alone good ones, but Hoop’s, with their crispy exteriors and tender but chewy interiors, are a standout.
The interior of Hoop Bagel & Salad is decorated in a bohemian, industrial vibe with wood, galvanized steel and laminate-topped tables. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
Husband-and-wife team Antonello Femiano and Valentina Pizzano opened Hoop Bagel & Salad nine years ago in Naples, Italy, as an alternative to traditional Italian cuisine. The restaurant has locations in the city’s Vomero and Centro Storico neighborhoods. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
The bagels aren’t made by Hoop but purchased from a vendor that Femiano wouldn’t reveal, saying it was a secret. They’re available to take home starting at 2 euros each.
My mealtime companion settled on the ratatouille salad featuring couscous, diced vegetables, tomatoes, cheese, almonds and basil. Other salads include grains, such as rice and farro, accompanied by tuna, turkey, cheese and grilled or fresh vegetables and salad greens.
The ratatouille arrived at room temperature with diced zucchini, tomatoes, chewy pasta grains and a flavorful basil dressing. Overall, the dish was satisfactory, but I would like to try other offerings on my next visit.
We finished our meal with one of Hoop’s desserts made by Pizzano, settling on her version of the famed Sacher torte. The dessert featured a thin chocolate sponge, topped first with a layer of apricot jam and then a thick layer of rich, dark chocolate mousse.
It was delicious, hitting all the right notes of a chocolatey, decadent dessert.
In all, Hoop Bagel & Salad answers the call for those seeking fresh, innovative food in a comfy atmosphere.
Hoop Bagel & Salad
Address: Via Solimena 102/104, Naples (Vomero); Via Ferdinando del Carretto 10/12, Naples (Centro Storico)
Hours: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 7-11 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 7-11 p.m., Sunday
Prices: 4-6 euros, appetizers; 2-12 euros, bagels and bagel sandwiches; 7.50-9 euros, salads; 5-7 euros, desserts; 2.50-5.50 euros, juices, soda, tea and coffee; 4.50-7 euros, beer; and 5-8.50 euros, wine by the glass and cocktails.
Information: www.hoopbagelesalad.it; @hoopbagelesalad on Instagram
Dining and Cooking