Amazing Appetizers, Chef Salvatore La Ragione, Ristorante Mamma', Capri (Na)

On that particular sunny Saturday afternoon, hordes of tourists headed for the beach, their boats, and the beautiful grottoes of that magnificent vacation island - Capri. I, instead, headed for the cable car to take me to the piazzetta, up the stairs to the right, and down a cool little alley to the Michelin starred Ristorante Mamma'.

There Chef Salvatore La Ragione prepared these three appetizers paired with a glass of white wine and a spectacular view.

First:

Red mullet...

a green pepper pesto...

and marinated sliced onions.

Next:

Cuttlefish tagliatelle...

fresh cool garden greens...

and a beet and sesame seed oil mayonnaise.

Then:

Roasted octopus...

broccoli, zucchini...

and Jerusalem artichokes.

Amazing!

Fantastic Firsts, Chef Salvatore La Ragione, Ristorante Mamma' Capri (Na)

Chef Salvatore La Ragione

Finally!  An exclamation made by Chef Salvatore La Ragione and myself.
Finally, we both expressed since the chef and I have known each other for a few years, but I have never ever visited him here, at the Michelin starred Ristorante Mamma' tucked away in a tiny little alley near Capri's most busiest piazza.
Here, at a table with an amazing view and a light gentle breeze.
It was a perfect opportunity, then, for the chef and I to make up for lost time.  La Ragione sent out four primi piatti, pasta dishes,  for me to try.
Take a look!

Gnochetti al profumo di limone con vongole e broccoli..

Potato dumplings, lemon, clams and broccoli greens....

Delicate and profumatissimo!!!

Then, the chef's vermicilli ai ricci del mare...

Vermicelli pasta and sea urchins.

And then, a dish that I tried for the first time  a year ago during Festa a Vico- Risotto matecato aglio e olio...

Mussel scented rice, extra virgin olive oil and garlic.  I notice this time that the chef added a couple of almonds for a crunchy touch.

Have room for one more?  The chef asked.


He was really surprised that I hadn't tried this Chef Gennaro Esposito classic -minestra di pasta mista con crostacei e pesci di scoglio.

Mixed pasta and seafood...

Fantastic!