Go Here! Eat This!

Go to Minori for Major YUM

Kind of ironic that a year ago tomorrow (4th) we were on our way across the pond to visit Nonno and Nonna in Italy. We have to skip summers now since we have 4 plane tickets to buy. My hubby and I are missing it terribly this summer, so maybe that’s why the trip down memory lane!

In 2004, before children, we had the good fortune to spend a week on the Amalfi coast with my parents. We hit Sorrento, Capri, Positano and by the time we got to Amalfi we were pretty tired. The Positano side of Amalfi is as beautiful as you see in the movies; however, it is a HOT spot and every American tourist is there. Last summer, the Italiano and I got away sans children for 2 nights down to the Amalfi coast again, but THIS time we hit the other side of the town of Amalfi. We got to see Maiori, Minori, Ravello and also got a better look at the beautiful town of Amalfi. We stayed at the Best Western, Hotel Marmorata and I highly recommend it. It had a pool and private access to the water and a spectacular view.

I digress, my post is supposed to be about FOOD, right? OK Food. My hubby, the Italiano, has a long history in the restaurant and wine business and just has a way of sniffing out (and researching) the best places to eat. Not only that, but he has NEVER met a stranger. So he asked the parking attendant at the hotel about Giardiniello Ristorante and the guy happened to be the restaurant proprietor’s cousin, so there you go. Tell him I sent you and all of that, and off we went.

Giardiniello is in the town of Minori on the Amalfi coast. It has a garden and the proprietor is a jolly man. I absolutely love when the fish is so fresh you don’t even see a menu. They have the fish caught that day displayed out front, you pick your fish, they bring it back and ask how you want it done.

For the life of me I can’t remember the fish I got – some white fish – but I DO remember how it was prepared. It was done in a salt crust, pesce in crosta di sale,  (it wasn’t salty it was baked or steamed under this crust, see photo) and was drizzled with olive oil and lemon and so so tender, simple and delicious.

Dinner was followed up with Cicerenella (some kind of anice and orange liqueur) and chocolate eggplant dessert…a house specialty. THAT was interesting.

Nevertheless, if you ever find yourself on the other side of Amalfi, in the small town of Minori, definitely treat yourself to dinner at Giardiniello and try the fresh fish. Without further adieu, when in Minori, Go Here! Eat This!

http://www.ristorantegiardiniello.com