Andrea F.
Yelp
During our entire 2-week stint in Italy, this was, hands down, THE best meal we had. Everything screamed quintessential hole-in-the-wall Italian gem, from its location off the touristy path hidden away in a cobblestone alleyway, the open-air kitchen right when you walk in, the narrow, cluttered tables, the wall with built-in shelving of hundreds of wine bottles, the stone wine cellar walls and ceilings - all of it - just perfect.
Again, we failed to make a reservation but they quickly got us a table near the back and immediately provided us with two glasses of prosecco to pair with the homemade foccaccia bread/olive tapenade already sitting on the table. Fell in love pretty quick.
Service was quick, friendly and accommodating.
Menu was small, clean cut, classic. Noted some interesting entrees of "German style steak" and "Irish entree" (curious what they were), but opted for seafood.
Starters: zucchini risotto / spaghetti puttanesca
Entrees: mussels in lemon/white wine sauce
Desserts: panna cotta with nutella / deconstructed puff pastry with nutella
BF had risotto 3 times in Italy and this was his favorite by far. I don't like risotto, but the texture was so creamy and amazing. My puttanesca spaghetti was perfectly al dente and coated in that wonderful sauce. The mussels nearly brought a tear to my eye. Served piping hot in a metal kitchen pan with handles, they were plump and plenty and that sauce was addicting, especially with a few squeezes of the lemon wedges. They tasted like they were plucked straight from the sea and brought to us. I will never be able to eat mussels from Devil's Den again without thinking of these. Desserts were the perfect ending to a great meal. My panna cotta was uber creamy and held up nicely to the mirrory glaze of melted nutella. Puff pastry was also a delight.
Mad I didn't get to try their infamous house red, but we wanted white with our seafood and our choice per the server's recommendation was wonderful.
If we ever come back to Salerno, this will be the first stop on my itinerary.