Hot in the City - Bothanica, Fuorigrotta (Na)

 

Karen, have you spoken to Giuseppe lately?  Do you know he opened up a restaurant? 

Really?  I asked my friend Luca.  Where?

In the city...

It has been a couple of years since I had seen Giuseppe.  A couple of crazy years, so, no- I was unaware that after last summer in Ischia, my friend, maître sommelier Giuseppe Di Ruocco had recently opened up a restaurant in Fuorigrotta in Naples. 

Bothanica.

Bothanica is a green oasis in the heart of the city, not far from downtown Naples.  Not far from the soccer stadium, right next to a very busy hospital.  But you soon forget all that as you turn down the dirt road that takes you into a place world’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Naples is like that.  It has hidden pockets of peace that let you take a little break form the city without leaving the city.

It is in this little pocket where Di Ruocco and Mario Maselli opened up Bothanica e few months ago.  Bothanica – a concept where Di Ruocco could express his passion for nature, good food and great wine all in one area verde.  A garden party to be shared with enthusiasts who have the same appetite as he does.

I arrived at 730 pm, in time to have an aperitif and a chat with Di Ruocco as he served me their farm drink – Bothanica di Terra; gin with infusion of Mediterranean herbs, and tonic water. 

 

It was time to held over to the table, mine was next to a swing tied to one of the many trees which circled Bothanica’s outside dining room.  Soft music in the background, a cool breeze, a glance at the menu.

A menu which gives you a choice of a la carte or 3 tasting menus.  Bothanica Antica, Bothanica Terra, Bothanica Mare.  I chose Terra.

Here’s a look.

Clockwise from the top left corner-zucchini 'ex apicio', pelatello salami and sheep cacciota cheese, 

eggplant parmigiana, Tropea onion omelette and wild pucchiacchela, grilled ricotta in walnut leaves.

When it came to decide on the wine, I took a look at the list and found these words-

Giuseppe Di Ruocco

it is not a wine list

it’s fermentation,

research,

tastings,

vineyard wines,

stories of winemakers,

tales of bold people,

back to nature,

a hymn, a toast ...

I decided to let Di Ruocco choose the wines and he introduced me to two wines, two wineries.

For my appetizer- La Terapia, Casavecchia from Il Vino del Professore – a small winery located in the small town of Castel di Sasso, in the province of Caserta.

Instead, for the rest of the meal, we travelled to Montemarano in the heart of Irpinia wine country.  Volpe Rossa from La Cantina di Enza.  One of the few wineries that produces wines with the basically unknown red grape- Coda di Volpe.  Di Ruocco opened up a young 2015, seasoned my glass before pouring for me.

This glass accompanied me with a fantastic first of candele pasta alla Genovese.  A dish which I associate with cooler months.  Instead, I know realize that one of my favorite pasta dishes, when prepared right, can be served all year long. Compliments to Chef Napoleone Caffarelli.

 For my second course – we hopped into the Bothanica Antica menu.  For a bite or two of muzzariello (a spicy sausage often used in minestra maritata) with potatoes cooked under ashes and fried green peppers.

Dessert – a chocolatey off the menu choco power.

I didn’t just have my nose in the glass and fork in my mouth.  I chose to spend my first evening at Bothanica taking a look around, taking a walk around.  Soft music from the deejay.  Children of all ages enjoying the swings, the company, the fresh air.  Enjoying that pocket of peace in the city without leaving the city…