Forget the usual beach restaurants. This one is matchless, and not just for the food and service. Superb location witg stunning views. Overlooking the picturesque Cala Nave beach with its mushroom-shaped turf sea stacks where Greek hero Odysseus fell prey to the sirens' seductive songs,...I had lunch with the sea at my feet, pieds dans l'eau. The owners, guapo smiling local boys with a strong Neapolitan accent, won't mind if you walk in barefoot, leaving sand trails behind. Under a thatched terrace with fresh sea breeze offering a regenerating break from the hot sun rays, I had octopus salad with wild fennel and a cold plate of Bassiano ham, Cantaloupe melon and the real buffalo milk mozzarella cheese, shipped each day from the mainland. It's not the gluey cow milk one you tend to find everywhere, but the original premium mozzarella that oozes out sweet-bitter buffalo milk at each bite. Iconic dish here is Ventotene's lobster, a stout, smaller reddish species served both solo and with spaghetti. Even dessert is handmade: pistacchio and nougat semifreddo, ricotta cheese pies. At the end, with a full belly, you get to relax and chill-out on cozy white sofas craddled by the sound of the waves. Just watch out not to fall asleep!More
