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La Cantinella
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| The La Catinella restaurant is certainly worth visiting. Not only is the food out of this world, so is the spectacular view. As a matter of fact, from its enchanting location in Santa Lucia on the Neapolitan sea-front, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the bay, which is one of the most extraordinary panoramas in all of Italy. A vision that has been immortalized repeatedly down through the centuries by writers and painters, a breathtaking sight that for three hundred years has been part of the private estate of the Rosolino family. |
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It all got started by the father, Angelo, who, drawing upon his extensive experience as a barman at the Hotel Excelsior, opened the Shaker club, a cult meeting place for Naples' nocturnal crowd during Italy's glamorous "dolce vita" period, when the legendary voice of Renato Carosone filled the long, sultry Parthenopean evenings. The restaurant was opened twenty years ago with Giorgio Rosolino and owes its name - "La Cantinella" (the little cellar) - to its vast selection of wines, to this day considered to be one of the best in all of Italy.
From the beginning a favorite haunt of native Neapolitans, over the years numerous artists, politicians and show-business people have decided to make this place an obligatory part of their itinerary in order to enjoy the renown specialties of the house while staying in the Naples area.
The fabulous setting with its unparalleled view, and the relaxed, informal atmosphere of the veranda overlooking the sea make this a uniquely pleasant and enchanting place. |
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From the very beginning Giorgio Rosolino focused his efforts on revitalizing regional cuisine, in particular the typical Neapolitan dishes that had been largely abandoned due to the time and effort required to prepare them. Dishes such as the maritata soup (featuring vegetables, cheese rind and pork), the soffritto soup (made from pig entrails, tomatoes, salt and chile peppers), lasagna (with durum wheat pasta and Neapolitan ragu) and pasta with scorpion fish ragu (made with scorpion fish, vegetables, scallions, olive oil, salt and pepper). Some of the most outstanding main-course dishes featured are piper fish in acqua pazza (wild water) (piper fish in a frying pan with stock, cherry tomatoes, bread, oil and garlic), prawns and assorted sea food and a Captain's plate, side dishes like sweet peppers, endives and "friarielli" (turnip greens). But one should not forget the new culinary creations, like the tagliatelle Santa Lucia and the tagliolini with pumpkin flowers.
The fish is always excellent and fresh. Be sure to try the special warm Catinella antipasto and the linguine Santa Lucia. The house desserts are always a hit, too: babą, pastiera, caprese, and assorted lemon-flavored desserts, to be enjoyed accompanied by a liqueur from the local coastal region. |
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 Ristorante La Cantinella
Via Nazario Sauro 23
Lungomare di S. Lucia
Tel: 081 7648684
Naples
Closed: Sunday
Seating capacity: 90
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