Sweeping seaside vistas, twisting cliffside roads, scents of wildflowers and, of course, some of the best food and drink imaginable.
Such is the good life on Italy’s idyllic Amalfi Coast, one of the most popular places in a country that regularly the woos the world. From the tourist mecca of Positano to the mountainous Ravello, each community along the popular coast which hugs the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea offers delightfully different experiences that stand on their splendid own. Those unique characteristics naturally extend to a culinary and beverage scene simply unmatched the world over.
From a family-owned trattoria to the opulence of a lobster and martini bar and a seafood restaurant with stunning views of the water, here are four of the best options when it comes to where to imbibe along the glorious Costiera Amalfitana.
Haute Italian cuisine with an award-winning wine cellar:
Casa Angelina’s Un Piano Nel Cielo
It’s not only that Praiano’s Casa Angelina is a stunning boutique hotel with panoramic views of the water and an extreme attention to detail, from the fresh lemons that hang over its pool deck to the lucious in-house scent that regularly wafts through the air of its art-filled lobby. Adding to the high-quality atmosphere is one of the best fine-dining options on the coast: Un Piano Nel Cielo, a haute eatery which showcases show-stopping seven-course meals that include everything from Belfago Tuna to fresh scallops made with an Amalfi lemon mayonnaise.
What sets the property’s F&B scene apart from the rest, however, is an award-winning wine cellar that includes a whopping 3,000 bottles, from rare local vintages to global favorites. And yes, they have their very-own bottle of bubbly as well in the form of a perfect champagne courtesy the acclaimed French winemaker Pierre Mignon.
Family-owned hospitality:
Trattoria Da Lorenzo
Located in the quaint community of Scala (a short drive from nearby Ravello), it’s the family-owned homey restaurant of your La Dolce Vita dreams. Everyone from Peyton Manning, Chris Bosh, Sofia Vergara to Pierce Brosnan has made the pilgrimage to enjoy a fresh meal at Trattoria Da Lorenzo. And we mean fresh: the fish here, from sea bream to octopus, hail from the blue sea just below the towering mountains the Trattoria sits in. The pasta? Made in-house, of course. And when it comes to choosing a wine, tell your waiter to give you something, anything local: you won’t regret it.
As you’re feasting on the Italian meal of your dreams, which is splayed upon a red-checkered table as you look out and see the starry Scala sky, you’ll already start wondering when you can venture back.
Authentic seafood with stunning views:
Al Mare at Hotel Santa Caterina
One of the most iconic hotels on the Amalfi Coast, located on the cliffs of the eponymous community of Amalfi, Hotel Santa Caterina originally opened in 1904 and in the century since has earned a stake as one of the most lauded properties in the world. But whether you’re lucky to stay here or not, the next-best thing is to enjoy a seafood feast on the deck at Al Mare, Santa Caterina’s seafood restaurant which overlooks the grand Bay of Salerno.
Outfitted with stone floors and a matted-wooden overhang, the restaurant naturally specializes in seafood, whether it’s a grilled local spiny lobster or Neapolitan-fried fish and squid. Compliment your meal with an Aperol Spritz, or page through an impressive wine list offering an array of libations for any taste. And, don’t forget the Lemoncello.
Perfect cocktails:
Lobster and Martini Bar at Palazzo Avino
Enjoying wine in Italy obviously comes with the local territory, but sometimes a perfect cocktail night can make for a worthy break from all those reds and whites. Over in Ravello lies the opulent Palazzo Avino, a family-run property known for its classy atmosphere (including a recent collaboration with fashion house Valentino) and known to locals as the Pink Palace thanks to the trademark building’s pleasant hue.
That opulence extends to its outdoor Lobster and Martini bar which offers over 100 variations on the classy cocktail. That includes six variations of a dirty martini alone, including a Hot Dirty (made with Pepperoncini), a Balsamic Dirty (with a splash of the vinegar) and a Cetera Dirty (outfitted with regional anchovies). Cheers to that.
A historic eatery in a tourist mecca:
Ristorante Le Tre Sorelle
The base of the bustling tourist mecca known as Positano is one of the most-photographed places in the country thanks to its picturesque buildings that cascade down the local cliffs which flank the sparkling sea. As a result, more than anywhere else on the Amalfi, you’ll find more tourists than locals. That doesn’t mean the seaside here is full of tourist traps, though.
Ristorante Le Tre Sorelle (which translates to The Three Sisters) has been a staple in the hectic area since 1953 and here one can order a wood-fired pizza or seafood al fresco while you gaze out onto the masses in front of you. Alongside your meal, order up a Campari Spritz (just like Aperol but with that other Italian hallmark) and finish your meal with both a espresso and sambuca (concocted together and aptly named Cafe Corretto). Bella Italia, indeed.
The post Where to drink and eat on Italy’s Amalfi Coast appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
