Naples

Casa Cotzelli Bringing Italian Dining Concept to Naples

This concept will feature Italian dishes, pasta, seafood, and family recipes in a full-service setting.

Image courtesy of Casa Cotzelli.

NAPLES, FL — Casa Cotzelli is targeting an opening in about a month at 12712 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34113, owner Filippo Butelli told Business Debut. The restaurant is a partnership between Butelli and Gabriele Cozza, with the name Casa Cotzelli combining their last names. The concept marks the second location following their North Naples debut three years ago.

What to Expect

Casa Cotzelli will operate as a full-service Italian restaurant with a casual, family-oriented atmosphere and a service style rooted in fine dining experience. Butelli said the goal is to offer high-quality food at a reasonable price while making guests feel at home.

The space is expected to seat roughly 120 to 125 guests across indoor and outdoor dining, with an open kitchen planned for the new location, Butelli told Business Debut.

The menu will focus on made-from-scratch Italian cuisine, including homemade pasta, sauces, and a mix of traditional and modern dishes inspired by regions across Italy. “We want to bring traditional dishes into the menu with an additional experience from our grandma and grandpa,” Butelli told Business Debut.

Signature items are expected to include eggplant parmesan based on a family recipe, house-made paccheri with pistachio pesto, tortelloni in Bolognese sauce, and a range of seafood dishes like branzino and tuna tartare. The menu will also feature a Fiorentina steak, a Tuscan-style cut not commonly found locally, Butelli told Business Debut.

Butelli and his partners, including Gabriele Cozza and manager Dusan, bring a shared background rooted in building their careers from the ground up. “We came to America with a few dollars… starting as a dishwasher in New York City and little by little went all the way up to own one now slash two restaurants,” Butelli told Business Debut, describing the team’s journey.

Butelli added; “Me and my partner’s story is kind of the American dream… we came to America with a few dollars… not speaking English… starting as a dishwasher in a cold New York City, and little by little went all the way up to own one now slash two restaurants… the American dream… work hard and it pays off.”

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting an opening in approximately one month, pending final permits, Butelli told Business Debut.

Hours

Planned hours are lunch and dinner daily, likely beginning around 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Closing times are expected to be around 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends, though final hours are to be announced.