2AlexandKaciCamejowiththeirchildren
We hardly need an excuse to visit Parmesan Pete’s, a cozy North Naples bastion of Sunday gravy, mega-size meatballs and the biggest, crispiest, cheesiest chicken Parm on the Gulf Coast.
But from June 11-23, there is a hugely important reason to go: The Della Rocca family who own it are running a three-course prix fixe with a plethora of dishes (most not seen on the regular menu) to raise money to directly benefit Alex Camejo, their 36-year-old nephew who is a father to three young children and a Naples resident who has a grade four glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive brain tumor.
As the Della Roccas have been saying, Camejo is in the fight of his life, and they’re hoping their regular customers can get behind this initiative because every $3 from the $38 menu (available for both lunch and dinner) will go directly to his care.
It’s no secret Parmesan Pete’s excels at the basics, but if you ever choose to venture outside the red-sauce realm, you know they don’t just hold their own; they dazzle. And over the next two weeks, it’s time to get fancy with appetizers like roasted Parmesan-crusted artichoke hearts and entrées like their take on surf and turf (a petite filet in a pool of pink peppercorn sauce and seared diver scallops with wild mushroom risotto).
In all, there are five apps, four mains and three desserts (a trio of mini cannolis, anyone?) to choose from. For their nephew, everything has been planned with care and love, and that will certainly be evident to those who stop by to partake in this worthy cause.
To plan a visit:
Parmesan Pete’s 7935 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples (239) 992-3663 parmesanpetes.com