No, not fatty in the house, though that is a bit how I feel after 10 days on the Amalfi coast eating, drinking and sitting about in the sun.
'Fatti in casa' is Italian for homemade, and there was no end of homemade deliciousness to be had in this part of Italy. Luckily, staying in Positano there were also a lot of steps to climb on a daily basis, which meant it was easier to justify three course lunches and afternoon gelato. Difficult to choose what I enjoyed the most, but here are my top 5 food delights of Positano.
'Fatti in casa' is Italian for homemade, and there was no end of homemade deliciousness to be had in this part of Italy. Luckily, staying in Positano there were also a lot of steps to climb on a daily basis, which meant it was easier to justify three course lunches and afternoon gelato. Difficult to choose what I enjoyed the most, but here are my top 5 food delights of Positano.
5. Buca di Bacco
A hotel and restaurant right on the beach front (Buca di Bacco means 'wine cellar'). We ate in the ground floor restaurant on a couple of nights but the star was the first floor terrace for drinks and lunch - shady with sea views and great pasta.
Dave had a vibrant trofie pasta with pesto and sundried tomato which I wished I’d had, the pesto was so green tasting, as well as looking. My favourite was this spaghetti with meatballs (pictured). The pasta was salty as the sea, with a fresh tomato sauce and two
huge flavour-packed meaty meatballs.
Dave had a vibrant trofie pasta with pesto and sundried tomato which I wished I’d had, the pesto was so green tasting, as well as looking. My favourite was this spaghetti with meatballs (pictured). The pasta was salty as the sea, with a fresh tomato sauce and two
huge flavour-packed meaty meatballs.
4. Cake
It's true that cake will figure in my top 5 of
anywhere or anything. Positano was certainly a paradise of handmade cake. Sfogliatina, crostata di frutta, capricciosa, rum babas - the list goes on.
I loved the delizia, which you find in most places in a sharp lemon version (lemon features very heavily on the Amalfi Coast). This version (pictured) in pistachio is from La Zagara bakery: fluffy pistachio sponge filled with cream, covered in pistachio butter icing. La Zagara was open with live music in the evening, so you could have late night cocktails and cake. Bliss.
anywhere or anything. Positano was certainly a paradise of handmade cake. Sfogliatina, crostata di frutta, capricciosa, rum babas - the list goes on.
I loved the delizia, which you find in most places in a sharp lemon version (lemon features very heavily on the Amalfi Coast). This version (pictured) in pistachio is from La Zagara bakery: fluffy pistachio sponge filled with cream, covered in pistachio butter icing. La Zagara was open with live music in the evening, so you could have late night cocktails and cake. Bliss.
3. Coffee and cake at Bar Internazionale
Yes, I know that cake has already featured, but it's only part of the story here. Bar Internazionale is a tiny bar open all day and night, which we found on our way from the apartment to the bus stop. The cake was
great, I particularly enjoyed a tiny pie filled with custard and black cherry, and the cornetto al cioccolato (pictured) which was even better dunked in the cappuccino.
And what a cappuccino. Served by a slightly surly coffee maestro behind a bar, I've never had a better tasting coffee anywhere.
great, I particularly enjoyed a tiny pie filled with custard and black cherry, and the cornetto al cioccolato (pictured) which was even better dunked in the cappuccino.
And what a cappuccino. Served by a slightly surly coffee maestro behind a bar, I've never had a better tasting coffee anywhere.
2. Anniversary meal at La Sponda
Our first day in Positano was also our first wedding anniversary. My husband made it a truly memorable one by booking dinner at La Sponda, the
Michelin starred restaurant at Le Sirenuse hotel.
One of the reasons I've always wanted to visit Positano is the film Only You with Marissa Tomei and
Robert Downey Jr (the number of times I've seen it has gone into double figures). But it was only when my husband mentioned the swimming pool behind us
that I realised it was the actual hotel used in the film. Yes, I was schoolgirl excited.
Some of the food would be best described as 'interesting but challenging' - the prawns pictured were on a bed of chopped baby squid in what I can only describe as slime. Other dishes were delicious though; green plums with almond ice-cream were beautiful.
Michelin starred restaurant at Le Sirenuse hotel.
One of the reasons I've always wanted to visit Positano is the film Only You with Marissa Tomei and
Robert Downey Jr (the number of times I've seen it has gone into double figures). But it was only when my husband mentioned the swimming pool behind us
that I realised it was the actual hotel used in the film. Yes, I was schoolgirl excited.
Some of the food would be best described as 'interesting but challenging' - the prawns pictured were on a bed of chopped baby squid in what I can only describe as slime. Other dishes were delicious though; green plums with almond ice-cream were beautiful.
They also made us a special anniversary dessert of very dark chocolate tart with raspberries and the musicians played The Wedding March while they carried it to our table.
That's where La Sponda really comes into its own. The service has the magic touch and you feel thoroughly spoilt every moment of the evening.
And the setting is stunning, perched high on the hills,
looking out at the sea and the lights of Positano. It was an incredibly romantic way to spend our anniversary.
That's where La Sponda really comes into its own. The service has the magic touch and you feel thoroughly spoilt every moment of the evening.
And the setting is stunning, perched high on the hills,
looking out at the sea and the lights of Positano. It was an incredibly romantic way to spend our anniversary.
1. Next2
My only regret about Next2 is that we didn't find it until the last three days of our holiday - though we did still manage to fit in two visits.
I'd read a couple of reviews saying that it wasn't the place to go for authentic Italy but I totally disagree, it uses all local ingredients, and the menu is based around local specialities but usually with a more modern twist. This made for fresh, stunning dishes.
It's hard to pick a favourite dish but with a gun to my head I'd probably say this starter (pictured). I had it on both occasions because it was just so good. Courgette flowers were stuffed full of a mix of ricotta and mozzarella and served on very fine julienne of raw fennel and carrot.
I'd read a couple of reviews saying that it wasn't the place to go for authentic Italy but I totally disagree, it uses all local ingredients, and the menu is based around local specialities but usually with a more modern twist. This made for fresh, stunning dishes.
It's hard to pick a favourite dish but with a gun to my head I'd probably say this starter (pictured). I had it on both occasions because it was just so good. Courgette flowers were stuffed full of a mix of ricotta and mozzarella and served on very fine julienne of raw fennel and carrot.
My main courses on both nights were beautifully full of flavour.
The first night I had the ravioli stuffed with cabbage and ham in a parmesan sauce with shaved truffle. The strong flavour of the cabbage was a magnificent hit against the softness of the sauce and pasta.
The second night I had the pumpkin soup with porcini and a ricotta gnocchi (pictured). Again the balance between the smoky porcini, earthy pumpkin and sweet ricotta was perfect.
The first night I had the ravioli stuffed with cabbage and ham in a parmesan sauce with shaved truffle. The strong flavour of the cabbage was a magnificent hit against the softness of the sauce and pasta.
The second night I had the pumpkin soup with porcini and a ricotta gnocchi (pictured). Again the balance between the smoky porcini, earthy pumpkin and sweet ricotta was perfect.
And oh I love a good dessert. This simple but fabulous concoction (pictured) was vanilla ice-cream and slivers of poached peaches layered between the thinnest, crispest pastry, liberally sprinkled with icing sugar and a drizzle of raspberry sauce. Right up there with a peach melba I once had at The Fishes in Oxford as best dessert ever.
The wines were beautiful, the service bang on and the candle-lit courtyard setting stylish and romantic.
Definitely my number one food experience in Positano - though god knows there was a lot of competition. Torna a Positano? I absolutely hope so.
The wines were beautiful, the service bang on and the candle-lit courtyard setting stylish and romantic.
Definitely my number one food experience in Positano - though god knows there was a lot of competition. Torna a Positano? I absolutely hope so.
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