Donna Rosa is located just above Positano in a small village of Montepertuso. Checking the websites and Lonely Planet guide I found info that it is recommended by Jamie Oliver. He had one of his best Italian meals there while on his honeymoon. JAMIE OLIVER! I am obsessed with all cooking programs. Seriously, a bit sad but true. Decision was made. One evening we have to eat there. Surely we did!
Donna Rosa is a family-run restaurant. Mamma Raffaella and daughter Erika are in charge of the kitchen, Papa Vincenzo and daughter Rosida are responsible for the front of the house. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed by Rosida and Vincenzo who showed us our table. The restaurant has it’s charm. It’s a bit oldschool, seems like your grandma is gonna show up with some food in a moment.
We took aperitif and enjoyed it outside. Watch out: aperitif is served in big glasses and you might end up already a bit tipsy after.
When we came back to our table daughter Rosida was very kind and helped us choose the wine (which turned out to be a spot on choice). We were ready to eat. For my starter I chose breaded scallops and my boyfriend took fried calamari with tomato sauce. SCALLOPS! They were the best scallops in my life. I would marry the chef if she wasn’t an older woman. Calamari was perfectly seasoned. For our main course we ordered: octopus in tomato sauce and sea bass with capers, olives and broccoli leaves. All delicious, perfectly seasoned and just yummy. After all of that food we were quite full and went out to smoke a ciggie. I still wanted to try the dessert so I ordered panna cotta with raspberry sauce. After 15 minutes Mamma Raffaella stood in the entrance door and said: DOLCE MANGIARE! So we entered quickly. Didn’t want to mess up with Mamma Raffaella. Panna cotta seems easy but I ate quite a few that tasted of nothing. Was really delighted this wasn’t the case this time. Creamy, vanilla panna cotta in a raspberry sauce that was just as tasty as hell but I was in heaven.
After our meal Rosida called us a taxi (since we didn’t feel like walking 10000000 stairs down to Positano) and off we went.
I was a bit sceptic about the restaurant. Scared that it was just a tourist trap, because Jamie Oliver recommended it. Marketing can do sometimes a lot harm. Not this time though! When on Amalfi Coast – don’t miss this little pearl.
Practical information:
Address: Via Montepertuso 97/99,
84017 Positano
Website: Donna Rosa
Tips: Take your time, order aperitif, ask for wine recommendation. Book your table.
Text: Agnieszka Wajs
