September 27, 2023

In 2014 we visited the Amalfi coast for the first time. We were in the port of Naples for only one day and our driver fetched us at 7:30 in the morning. Marco crammed so much wonderfulness (I know it’s not a word) into that one day: Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi. Lots of hairpin curves, professionally executed…lots of stops for views and photos. And most memorably, lunch in Positano in small restaurant with a super view. When it’s your first visit somewhere, you really don’t know what to expect; although I’d read about the roads on the Amalfi coast, I was not prepared for the heights, steepness and scariness. On subsequent visits , we’ve enjoyed Sorrento and Capri. A few days ago the ship was diverted from Sorrento to Naples due to weather and we spent a day with Pietro in Naples.

Naples is the first port on the second leg of our cruise. Last summer we contacted Marco’s brother Mario, and asked him to drive us from Naples to Positano for the day. My only request was a leisurely drive and lunch in a restaurant with a view and a creative chef. Mario was waiting for us when we left Symphony at 10:30 a.m. We sent him a selfie so he’d be able to easily recognize us at the pier.

Couch selfie for Mario.
As we drove along the mountain we stopped for some photos.

Those white streaks in the water are wakes from boats.

Still climbing the mountain.
And now we are climbing to the restaurant…Yikes!
As Timmy was climbing (and climbing) I asked him to turn around for this photo. He really is such a good sport♥️

Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted warmly and offered our choice of table.

Mario posing at the entrance.
Lots of vertigo possibilities. I leaned waaaaay over the railing for this photo.
Ferries crisscrossing

We ordered drinks as a reward for the climb up to the restaurant …a Cosmo for me and Timmy choose an Aperol spritz.

Octopus salad.
Provola in lemon leaves with fried shrimp and lemon zest.
♥️
This is a local wine – Furore Rosso – we passed by the winery – Marissa Cuomo- on our way up the mountain. A familiar last name to New Yorkers.
This was a fried bread, compliments of the chef.
The requisite Instagram photo.
♥️ My guy ♥️
This contorni was recommended by Mario…pumpkin flowers stuffed with baked ham, crayfish and mozzarella.
Mario brought Chef Fiore out to meet us.

The day was exactly as I’d hoped it would be…a wonderful meal in a beautiful setting.

Our hostess. Question for the peanut gallery…why do some folks point to the person next to them in the photo?
One of the food runners…no pointing…
Ravioli with ricotta and lemon.
Beyond delicious …Cortecce pasta with zucchini, shrimp and clams.

Me: “I really hate the railing” Timmy: “Dear, you do realize it’s there to keep you from falling over the cliff after a Cosmopolitan and a few glasses of wine”…exact quote.

♥️
Mario declined to join us, but stopped by periodically to check in.
♥️
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As we were leaving, I went in search of the restroom and Chef Fiore invited me into the kitchen.

Chef asked for my camera and took this selfie.
And then he snapped this pic with his sous chef…so much happiness.
I took this photo from the car. That’s a hotel perched on the cliff, with an elevator down to the sea and a pool. La dolce vita, for sure.
A closer look at the elevator and pool.
One of hundreds of photos.
Here’s another pic from the car.

We took a different road back to the ship…through small villages …on narrow streets with all the normal hairpin turns.

We saw this stencil on the road side and I asked Mario to stop so I could take this photo. I told you in a previous post that Diego Maradona is a god on the Amalfi coast. He really is.
Back at the port, we said good bye to Mario and expressed our heartfelt thanks for a super day. If you find yourself in need of a wonderful guide, and you are on the Amalfi coast, please call Mario. He will curate any experience you desire…we totally underutilized his capabilities …but I just wanted a yummy lunch from a creative chef. And he over delivered.
Contact information for Mario…www.visitamalficoast.com
We swore off dinner and enjoyed sipping wine on the veranda as the moon rose…truly la dolce Vita.

Another fabulous day in the books. Thanks for following along. ♥️