Limonaia

Nothing was so predominant in the Amalfi coast as were the big waxy yellow lemons. I saw this tropical fruit everywhere, from local desserts to tablecloths and lemon-infused lotions. Stay three days in the Amalfi coast and you will become used to the lemon scent, and forget about its predominant flavor and tang; probably travel back home missing the acid taste and aroma. At every restaurant we ate, we were rewarded with a chilly Limoncello shot glass as a digestivo, a delicious lemon liquor produced in this Italian region; meant to be drank in zips rather than as a teenager.

Apart from buying the typical beautiful lemon ceramics and tablecloths, I also bought lemon body oil that is soft and delicate in the skin and leaves a lemon smell that lingers for a few hours. I also had the popular delizia di limone, a typical dessert from the Sorrento region, made of a soft sponge cake drenched in Limoncello and covered in a lemon cream. I found mine to be incredible thick and heavy, which tasted a couple of days old with a scent of faux lemon flavor. Perhaps the place I chose to have this sweet cake wasn’t the most authentic one, the cause of having to avoid these from that point on (what a shame!). Nevertheless I did enjoy other lemony flavored dishes such as pastas, scaloppina, and other sweets; my favorite probably being the re-freshening lemon granita they sold at Via Pasitea in Positano.

Charming ristorante and pizzeria

As soon as I saw my parents heading towards L’Incanto I thought: “probably another tourist trap, right in front of the renting chairs." L'Incanto lies in Positano's beach boardwalk, a restaurant one would judge as expensive, with mediocre food for their touristy appeal. What would you expect? Well, L’Incanto was exactly what its name stands for, a charming ristorante. Well what I really liked about this place was the baby squid platter we ordered as an appetizer for the three of us. I can’t remember the name of the dish (I’m regretful of not having taken any of the print menus from all the places I’ve been ever since I got to Europe) but it was a heaping plate of fried small baby squids drizzled with lemon juice. A crunchy lemony fishy taste, absolutely delicious and fitting for the ambiance: a blinding sun right in the Mediterranean coast on one of the last hot-and-humid days of summer in the Amalfi coast.

PS. I haven’t managed to eat any good seafood (here in Tuscany) like the one I ate almost every day at the Amalfi coast.

Amalfi red peppers

I discovered peppers are a local produce among the Amalfi coast. I saw them constantly hanging outside local restaurants and food shops; merchants even sold all types of coral jewelry shaped as peppers. Small red, yellow and orangey little peppers appeared to be everywhere along the shops in this Mediterranean coast. However, I had trouble finding pepper dishes in menus; it was mostly a decorative thing along the Amalfi coast styling t-shirts, jewelry, ceramics, and other touristy souvenirs. Later on I found out red pepper harvest takes place during the summer, where they are picked up to spice up local dishes or dried for a year-long use.

Fauchon at last

I had been fantasizing about this gourmet shop ever since I read about it in the New York Times. I jumped with excitement when I saw the pink neon sign from afar, right in front of the Madeleine.

I call Fauchon a gourmet boutique and café, stocked with the traditional French delicatessens, wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper and boxes. Right in place de la Madeleine, Fauchon gourmet shop lies where you can buy anything from fruit preserves to wine and pâté. Thereis a small cellar on the ground floor, offering a wide range of French wines, including the famous Fauchon champagne! On the second floor there is restaurant were I enjoyed petit dejeuner on a late Thursday morning. To my amazement, we were the only customers present – according to the waitress it’s a popular spot for lunch and dinner, not trendy among frenchies for breakfast. However, breakfast was delicious: soft croissants and delicious flowery tea (what I expected for a pricey Parisian breakfast).

Adjacent to the Fauchon restaurant and shop lies Fauchon café, where I also had the privilege to stop for a midday snack. The food was not mind-blowing but done right, yet overly expensive. Overall, Fauchon is a gourmet boutique one must see when visiting Paris, for its ostentatious pink colors and overwhelming delicatessens; a great place to buy a Parisian souvenir for your foodie friend. Pates, foie gras, terrines and rilletes are worth the price for their quality; yet 25£ chocolate boxes, probably not. For cheaper sweet delicatessens such as teas and chocolates, try Hediard just across the street, Fauchon competition with more reasonable prices.