Sitting in the main room of the restaurant La Capannina, with pastel colors that recall the dreamy beauty of the nature of Capri, you have the feeling of magically entering a garden enchanted, what the Persian poets call Dil-Aram, delight of the heart.
More than ninety years after its opening in 1931, La Capannina is the worthy heir of an ancient gastronomic tradition of Capri that has its roots in the Augustean and Tiberian cuisine.
In the eyes of Antonio De Angelis, an energetic eighty-year-old, there is emotion as he talks about his father Francesco: “He came to Capri to work as a chef at the Grand Hotel Quisisana. Then he met my mother Teresa, a descendant of the famous Carmela di Tragara, the first ostiaria of Capri, who at the end of the nineteenth century opened an inn for artists in Tragara”.
Their marriage was a love of taste. Francesco, Ciccillo for friends, with his Abruzzo cuisine, of Amatrice, strong and tasty, with meat, fried, meatballs and an infinity of legumes, and Teresa, with its dishes of sea and game. Together they opened the restaurant Savoia in Piazzetta, meeting place of nobility, resident on the island, and many artists such as Amedeo Maiuri, Alberto Moravia and Elsa Morante.
“The kitchen of my grandparents” says with pride Francesco, son of Antonio “is still present in our rich and varied menu. It is the synthesis of a healthy kitchen. The cianfotta, ancient minestrone caprese, is still in great demand by our loyal customers”.
Antonio remembers that his father called the restaurant “La Capannina”, on the suggestion of some nobles who frequented the Savoy, because it was eaten under “le pagliarelle”, exquisitely en plein air.
Walking through the photo gallery of the restaurant you can see that every moment of the Dolce Vita caprese was lived here.
“In my youth” continues Antonio “I went to work in America with my friend Renatino della Pigna at the restaurant “Petite Marmite” directed by maître Renato Savorelli. There I met his daughter Aurelia. Together with my wife Aurelia we led this restaurant with joy, dedication and immense sacrifices”.
Francesco and Renata, children of Antonio and Aurelia, are two brothers who fit perfectly. Francesco, volcanic, with his joy of living t’inonda of words, Renata, reflective, wine lover, directs “the Capannina Più”, kingdom of the refined gourmet caprese. Francesco has created for many young people and not, an alternative place, the Capannina Wine Bar, landing for those who in summer and winter want to listen to music, talking in peace.
The new entries of this historic family are Andrea, Piero and Matteo, who will project with new projects La Capannina in the third millennium.
We can well say that the atmosphere that is lived in this historic place where there is the cult of food is discreet and warm, the quintessence of island hospitality.
La Capannina is like a beautiful elegant woman, of class, who does not imitate the easy passing fashions.
But in this restaurant is always alive the spirit of the famous chef Triola, who after dinner sang for guests Verdi and Puccini and the legendary guitarist Scarola with his Neapolitan melodies.
“During the holidays” says Francis “everyone loves to sing and on that occasion the staff and all of us enjoy participating”.
Greeting Antonio and Francesco I ask what is their dream for Capri. After a few seconds, Francis replied: “I would like the new youth to know their island better and love it as much as my family loves it and will love it”.
by Renato Esposito.
