CAPRI TRULY DIVINE COOKING JUST THE WAY “MAMMÀ” MAKES IT IN STYLE

The 2-star Michelin chef Gennaro Esposito has a culinary approach that celebrates the Mediterranean tradition and the most genuine ingredients

Every dish served by the restaurant at number 6 on Via Serafina Madre, just a few steps away from the famous central Piazzetta of the small town of Capri, pays tribute to the genuine Mediterranean tradition of taste. It offers its customers cuisine made with the heart and soul of this region, by placing a constant emphasis on the quality of the basic ingredients, just as a mother would do. In fact the name of this veritable temple dedicated to the gods of the kitchen is simply Mammà. This establishment was born from the great passion of the 2-star Michelin chef Gennaro Esposito, who is a modern-day priest of exquisite flavors and gastronomic know-how. “It is a tribute to my mother – explains Esposito – because from her I learned my love for cooking and for every ingredient. Mammà therefore stands for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, but without forgetting the classics of the local tradition of Capri. It is based on the extraordinary quality of the raw ingredients. My suppliers are the fishermen of Capri and the farmers on the hills of Anacapri. My dishes range from the risotto alla pescatora (seafood risotto) to parmigiana di pesce bandiera (beltfish in batter with eggplants) My right-hand man is Salvatore La Ragione. When you cook with real sincerity and respect it is fun to do. And sometimes you can even be awarded a Michelin star”. The culinary concept that Esposito has elaborated for Mammà has made him and his restaurant famous in Italy and all around the world. This chef from the Campania region has mastered the most contemporary gastronomic trends, while always sticking closely to the guidelines of Mediterranean cuisine and never forgetting or neglecting the great traditional dishes that are typical of Capri. Salvatore La Ragione, the long-standing sous-chef de cuisine of the restaurant, has always worked alongside Esposito, and he expertly presides over the kitchen, together with a team of top-notch professionals. The appearance and decor of the restaurant has recently undergone a complete restyling, which is fully consistent with the approach to cuisine. “There is a kind of osmosis between the overall style and the gastronomic concept” says Esposito, referring to the ambiance and furnishings, which are based on soft shades of white and beige, with delicate hues that are reminiscent of the unforgettable deep blue of the sea at Capri.

Not far from the lovely Piazzetta of Capri Gennaro Esposito’s restaurant, with a charming terrace that is a privileged vantage point from which to admire the coastline of the Gulf of Naples and the headland of Sorrento, offers gourmets a safe haven and harbor where they will receive all the special care and attention that only a mother can provide from her loving heart.