Sugo all’ Genovese is one of Italy’s great meat ragus for pasta, loved by Neapolitans and inhabitants of the Amalfi Coast and Salerno. Though famous in the region of Naples, though Americans and Italian-Americans in particular know and love many of the great dishes of Italy, very few people in America know of this dish, even Italian-Americans. This is a shame, as it is quite wonderful, and a dish everyone who taste it, just loves the dish.
This ragu is rich and tasty, and many would be surprise how many onions go into the ragu, as well as the fact that there is only a very small amount of tomato product that goes into the ragu which contains, as we’ve said, a lot of onions, beef (Chuck is Best), small amounts of celery, carrots, red wine, and a bit of tomato paste. Everything is slow cooked for about 2 & 1/2 hours until the beef is succulent and tender, and the onions have practically disappeared and all the ingredients have combined to make a most tasty ragu to dress your Maccheroni with (Ziti is preferred).
Sugo Genovese is one of those Italian dishes that you might categorize as a two-for dish, in that when you make it, you will get two courses to eat from the one pot. Cook some Ziti, or any short maccheroni pasta you like, and dress it with a bit of the Ragu. Then you can serve some larger pieces of the Braised Beef for a main course, and accompanied with some polenta or boiled potatoes. This is classic Cucina Povera, and a means to stretch a small amount of meat as much as possible, getting a number of portions from just one or two pounds of meat.
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Once Upon A Time in Positano on the Amalfi Coast not so long ago there was the Bar Di Martino on the curve of Punta Reginella with one of the most scenic panoramas this village of breathtaking panoramas has to offer. Breakfast-lunch-cocktails and late night gatherings brought together visitors from around the world and local residents in a perennially festive mood to see and be seen. To discuss and argue and create new friendships and appointments for the day and the weeks ahead.
I first started gong to Positano way back in the Summer of 1985. I was in my early 20s, working
at the venerable old Italian joint “John’s of East 12th Street” and my boss Nick and his wife Valentina had been there and raved of the place. Valentina said, “I had to go. It’s gorgeous.” I was about to take a trip to Italy, to Rome, Venice, to visit my high school friend JoAnna in Florence, and now Positano. I would also go meet up with some friends in Barcelona, run into my friend Lisa there, and go to Blanes on the Costa Brava as well. In-between Spain and making my way to Venice, I made a stop at The French Riviera to Monaco and staying in Nice where I had a brief affair with a beautiful French girl Chantel.
After my first foray of several trips to Venice, I mad my way down to Positano. Back then, there was no internet, and though they had travel guide books and I had my Frommer’s Guide to Europe on $25 a Day, the amount of info you could get back then as compared to these days, was a dismal fraction of present day travel info. So o that first trip, I took a train from Rome to Naples, which took 3 hours. Then I took the Circumvesuviana that goes from Naples to Sorrento, but someone told me to get off the train at Meta, which I did, and for me to catch a bus in Meta to take me right into Positano, and so I did.
So I hopped on the Blue Sita Bus in Meta and I was on my final leg to Positano. Once on that bus I would be treated to the most beautiful ride of my life. The bus drove from Meta to Positano along the famed Amalfi Drive (Divina Strada). The rode clings to the side of cliffs that soar high above the sea 1,000 feet below. It’s absolutely beautiful, and quite dramatic. That first trip I shall never forget.
A few thousand feet away, you catch your first glimpse of the enchanting little town on the Amalfi Coast, the town of Positano which literally springs up out of the sea, with hotels and white and pastel colored homes that seemed to be stacked on-on-top-of-the-other. Jasmine trees fill the air with their fragrant scent as thousands of bright purple Bougainvillea plants disperse their gorgeous color, along with all sorts of varied shades of flowers that only enhance an already gorgeous setting. So when I first saw this beautiful town springing up out of the Tyrrhenian Sea, I was mesmerized. I’d never seen anything so stunning.
By the time the bus dropped me off in front of the Bar International, I was already in Love. I grabbed my bags and went into the bar. I needed an Espresso and a little something to eat. I also needed to use the bathroom and wash up a bit. I went into the bathroom and this was one of the first of so many things in Positano that struck me. Something little, but it struck me nevertheless, and as you can see, I still remember and talk about it to this day, some 35 years on. What is it, you ask? I walked into the bathroom and can see that the bar and bathroom were quite literally built into the mountain. The mountain was in the bathroom, or vice versa. The wall was quite literally the rock of the mountain. Not rock that was placed there, but it was the mountain, and this building was built into the solid rock of the mountain and was the most inner wall of the building (Bar International). When a went to Bar Di Martino the next day, I would relieved that that building, as well as the restaurant Da Vincenzo was built into the mountain as well, and in the lower dining room at Da Vincenzo, the back wall of the restaurant is the mountain itself.
Yes, I fell in love with Positano in an instant, “Love at 1st sight,” as they saw. and I no matter that the town has been overrun by way too many tourist for a small town, Positano I still love, I guess mainly for the reason that I was a young man making my first explorations of Italy, Europe, Positano, and the gorgeous Amalfi Coast.
As I’ve just said, one of my explorations was going into the cute little Bar Di Martino which was close to my pensione Villa Maria Antonietta, where I stayed my first year in Positano (1985) on the advice of my friend, the poet Rene Ricard who wrote me a letter of introduction to Signora Carmen, the owner of the little pensione. It was a nice little place, affordable, and in a good location right in the center of Positano, and so I spent 4 nights there in the Summer of 1985. The next year (1986) I made a great discovery in coming across Casa Albertina, a lovely hotel right behind Da Vincenzo and Bar Di Martino, and I have been staying at this wonderful hotel ever since.
When I went back to Positano the following year, and I was scouting around for a hotel, I walked into the front door of Casa Albertina, where Lorenzo was sitting behind the desk, and greeted me with a friendly hello. When I inquired about the availability of rooms, I guess Lorenzo could see I was just a young man, and probably didn’t have a lot of money to spend so he gave me what he called “a Special Young Persons Price,” which was $79 and quite a good deal for the quality of this lovely hotel, which is one of my favorites in the entire world, and for anyone looking for a nice place to stay in Positano, I highly recommend to stay there, and so I did, in 1986, again in 1987, and in 2015.
Wow, really got off the main subject of what I wanted to talk about, Bar Di Martino. When I started going to Positano in 1985, Bar di Martino was just a small little town bar that served coffee (espresso / cappuccino) all day long, as well as Cornetto, Campari, Negroni’s, local wine, beer, sandwiches, and the normal things that you’d find a thousands of little local bars all over Italy. Bar Di Martino was a small bar, with not a lot of space inside, but they had tables outside along the outer wall of the bar, as well as tables on terrace on the other side of the street (Via Pasitea) opposite the bar, where I’d go for a Campari after a day at the beach, and before I went back to Casa Albertina to take a late afternoon nap. I got to know the family, the two girls Betty DeMartino and her sister.
The one very cool thing about Bar DiMartino was that it was the cool place for those in-the-know to go to for evening cocktails and just the best place to hang out at at night, after dinner at your chosen restaurant of the evening, Bar DiMartino was the place to go. Lorenzo introduced me to the Di Martino’s and to other people around town. It was my good fortune to walk into Casa Albertino and meet Lorenzo way back in 1986.
A 10-minute walk from a sandy beach in Positano, Hotel Casa Albertina features a terrace with views of the sea and a bar. Including free Wi-Fi, the property is only 10 miles from Amalfi.
Featuring a flat-screen TV, minibar and telephone, the air-conditioned rooms have a private bathroom. They include free towels and free linens. Some have a balcony or a terrace.
Guests at Casa Albertina Hotel can enjoy a continental breakfast buffet. On request, a cooked breakfast is also available. Two restaurants are within 300 feet of the property.
Hello folks, boys and girls, Ladies & Gentlemen, “it’s here!” What? POSITANO is Here !!! The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUide by me, Daniel Bellino Zwicke has been published and is live and for sale on Amazon on this day and on into the future for many years, Positano The AMalfi Coast Cookbook / Travel Guide is live and ready to go to all of you waiting and planning that special trip to Capri, Positano, Ravello or anywhere that your heart desires of the beautiful Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy. “How bout that?”It’s a very happy day for me, I’ve been working on this book for almost two years, and now here it is on February 8th of the year 2021, after the horrible year we had last year (2020), a better and happier year and day and many happy days ahead in 2021 and-on-and-on.You can now get yourself a copy POSITANO , this the first book on Positano & The Amalfi Coast that is a Cookbook, Guide Book, and book of essays and stories on Positano, Capri, and the gorgeous Amalfi Coast. “Yee-haa!”
So, if you’re planning that special Positano / Amalfi Coast vacation, honeymoon, wedding or whatever, and you need a little help planning, and seek some inspiration and ideas for your special vacation, why not start here and grab a copy? The book is filledwith information, recipes, and delightful stories that are sure to get those travel juices flowing. Just read the stories and get all pumped up by the future prospects of your dream vacation on the Amalfi Coast, a wedding in Ravello, or Romantic Honeymoon on Capri, or Positano. You will start as you read through the pages of this book and maybe making a plate of Mussels Marinara or Spaghetti Vongole, just two of the many wonderful recipes in this book. This is part of Daniel’s plan and how he envisioned this book to inspire through the stories and cooking some of the wonderful dishes that are favorites in Naples, on Capri, Positano, and all over the Amalfi Coast. Make these dishes to get psyched for your trip, as well as reliving memories of the favorite things you ate in Positano once you are home. This book will help you achieve these things.
Travel to Italy, Positano, Capri The Amalfi Coast, is it a good idea right now? The answer probably not. Sure we’d all love to go. If you’ve already been to Capri, Positano, or anywhere on Italy’s gorgeous Amalfi Coast, right about now you probably wish you were there, “right Now!” Of course you do, who wouldn’t? I know I’d love to be. But I wouldn’t. Not now. But if you do, you actually can.Here’s the news below.
With COVID cases on the rise in Europe, the island of Capri and the towns along the Amalfi Coast have imposed a number of restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus among visitors. In Italy, masks must be worn both indoors and out. Opening hours of restaurants, bars, and cafés differ according to region, which have risk-level classifications that vary weekly based on active cases.
How bought Capri? At the moment, there are no travel restrictions for Capri. Rapid Covid-19 testing may be required. We suggest booking your ferry tickets in advance.
Here’s a LINK for the Italian Government’s Travel RestrictionsGOVERNO ITALIANO
Can you go this Summer? “Let’s hope so.” I guess if you have been Vaccinated for Covid-19 supposedly your chances of getting the VIrus are cut down dramatically, and it is most likely you will not got the Covid-19 Virus, but let’s not forget that the Vaccine is not 100% and though it is highly unlikely, it will still nb possible to catch the Virus, but if you are looking to Travel, you have been Vaccinated, you wear a mask on the plane, and whenever in close proximity to other people (Ferries to and from Capri and around the Coast), and you get tested for the Corona Virus within 72 hours of your flight, you should be OK.So if, your looking to take a vacation in Capri or anywhere on the AMalfi Coast this Summer, you might be OK. However, don’t make any long term plans, but wait until Spring and early Smmmer to see where you, America, Italy, and the World is at at that point as far as the Corona VIrus and the Pandemic is at, at the time.
Yes, we’d all love to go to gorgeous Capri, Positano, or anywhere on the AMalfi Coast, just take caution, be safe, you do not want to get sick, you don’t want Corona Virus
Da LUIGI BEACH CLUB, My Favorite Swimming Spot on CAPRI, Italy
If your’re planning a trip to Capri, Positano, Ravello, anywhere on the AMalfi Coast in Italy, you’ll want to read this book. It’s filled with all sorts of great tips and info on all the towns along the The AMalfi Coast of Southern Italy. Info on Naples, Sorrento, and Capri as well, along with all the great recipes to make at home to get yourself psyched for your next trip, or to make dishes that you’ve had on any of your trips, and would like to relive wonderful memories of Capri, Positan, The AMalfi Coast of Italy, this book will help you along the way. Written by Bestselling Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke , someone who’s been vacationing in Positano and the gorgeous ISle of Capri since 1985, so the man knows his stuff.Positano The Amalfi Coast Cookbook – Travel Guide will be available late February 2021 on Amazon … To see Daniel’s other bestselling Italian Cookbooks, visit hisAmazon Author Page, just Click Here.
The Blue Sita Bus pulled into Positano sometime in mid-afternoon and stopped in front of the Bar International. Boy was I excited, “Positano at long last.” It was the end of the line for me. I hopped off the bus and got my bags and headed into the bar. I needed to use the bathroom, throw some water on my face, and then get a small bite to eat. I got a Prosciutto & Provala Panino and a glass of fresh squeezed OJ. I sat down to relax before heading down to the Villa Maria Antonietta. It was a good long walk down many stairs and through alleyways as I navigated further down to the lower part of town, always moving toward the Sea. I was carrying two pieces of luggage, and the going wasn’t that easy, except that I was a strong young man of just 23, and so it really wasn’t a problem. Nowadays at nearly 60, the same trip would be significantly harder, but I could still do it. I’d have to go slower though. Anyway, I finally made it to the spot somewhere near the area called Mulini and asked someone for directions. A man told me exactly where the little pensione was, and so I headed over. It wasn’t far at all, and in no time flat, there I was at Villa Maria Antonietta. I asked the lady if she had any rooms available. She did, so I checked in, but not before showing her the Letter of Introduction from Rene Ricard. She took a quick glance and then brought me to my room. Once inside, I took a hot shower and unpacked some of my clothes before heading out to explore this new town. Positano.
I left my little hotel and made my way down towards the sea. As I walked, I looked around in astonishment, spellbound with every step. Everything I had heard about Positano it seemed was true. Yes it was beautiful, magical, and invigorating. Nothing was exaggerated. I felt like a kid on Christmas Day. I was filled with that kid of euphoria. “Do you know what I mean?”
Yes, no one had overstated their thoughts of this enchanting little town. Everyone’s descriptions were true, and if anything, they had been understated, Positano was totally amazing, and for me, “It was Love at first sight.”
The houses and hotels in Positano were stacked one atop the other as they straddled and rose up the hills that make up the special characteristics that the town is known for. Down where I was, there were all sorts of cute shops and charming little boutiques, including; ceramic-shops, Custom Sandal-Maker Shops, caffes (bars), and restaurants. Of course there were hotels, locals homes, and private villas as well. There were outdoor markets, salumerias, and all sorts of fun things to see and do. The Blue Tyrrhenian Sea was just a few hundred feet away, and so off I went.
I walked down to the sea to look around. The water was quite lovely and there was all sorts of activity going on with people swimming, and lounging on the beach. Boats were arriving and departing from town. From down here as you look to the sea, there is a little beach at the center, with the town’s main boat-dock on the right, which is right next to the Cove dei Saraceni Hotel. Here you can catch ferry boats going to; Amalfi, Capri, Ischia, Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, and all points along the Amalfi Coast. From this spot the best beaches are off to the left or right of this center area from the little free beach which is not as nice as the two other beaches off to the far-left and far-right. There are a number of restaurants and bars down by the beach, including the famous Chez Black where they make Heart Shaped Pizza. There’s also Buca di Bacco with their beautiful terraced restaurant and bar, and the always welcoming Trattoria La Cambusa. If you turn your back to the Sea, you will see that the town of Positano just springs up out of the Sea, with the famous hill of a million pictures on your left, with houses stacked one-on top-of-the-other, they creep up toward the small hamlets of Montepertuso and Nocelle high above the sea. The same can be said for the hill to your right and the one directly in front of you, Positano rises from the sea and there it is smack dab in front of you, it seems as though Positano sours straight up to the Heavens. In fact, there is a famous path that is a popular place to hike, and the trail is known as “The Path of The Gods.”
Most of the town is sort of a large natural amphitheater. It’s quite an amazing sight to see, and it is just one reason that people have been flocking to this little town for years. They come from every corner of the world.
After walking around the lowest part of town by the sea, I made my way back towards the center and found myself at the Caffe Zagara for some Gelato in their lovely little garden. La Zagara is in the Mulino area of town, and it’s smack-dab in the middle of Positano. Again, I was in 7th Heaven. I sat back with my gelato, and just aimlessly did nothing. I took it all in. The setting here is as magical as is any place in all of Positano, no matter which part of town you are in, Positano is always enchanting. Positano, there’s no escaping its beauty.
After my gelato at La Zagaro, I headed down to the La Scogliera Beach Club to swim, relax, and just do nothing. “Now this is pure Bliss.” They have a snackbar / restaurant at this beach club, and I’d have a little something to eat for lunch or just a small snack. The rest of my time at La Scogliera Beach Club, is spent swimming, reclining on my chaise lounge, and sipping my Campari. I’d close my eyes and listen to those special beach sounds. You know those wonderful beach sounds don’t you? It’s the sound of Seagulls, waves crashing on rocks, music coming from the radios of those lying on the beach, the chatter of people talking, and it all blends together to make that very special kind of sound. Beach Sounds, I guess you could say. “You know what I mean, don’t you?” It’s especially nice when I just lie there with my eyes closed as if I were sleeping, but I’m not. I’m just relaxing and listening to the sounds of the sea, and all that goes with it.
After the beach, it would be up to Bar DeMartino for my late afternoon aperitivo, before heading back to my room for a nice two-hour nap. After my little nap, it was off to dinner at Da Vincenzo’s. I’d have some Octopus or Mussels (Cozze) then, as Rene told me, I’d eat a plate of the Worlds best Spaghetti Vongole, and again I’m in 7th Heaven all over again. After dinner at Da Vincenzo, it was back to Bar DeMartino to hangout and have a couple night-time cocktails (Campari) before going back to my hotel, sleeping the night away. And I always sleep quite well in Positano, with the fresh sea air making its way through the slatted shutters of my room at Maria Antoniette. The following year it would be at the Hotel Casa Albertina, right behind Da Vincenzo’s.
The next day, I’d do it all over again, and so I did for 3 glorious days on my first trip to Positano, in the Summer of 85. The next Summer, I’d spend four days in Positano, after 3 splendid days on the Isle of Capri. After 3 glorious days on Capri, I took a boat from Capri to Positano. I was looking for a new hotel this time. I liked Villa Maria Antoniette that first time but wanted something a little bit nicer this time around. So, when I poked my head into the reception area at Casa Albertina, Lorenzo was there to greet me. He was very nice, and he said he’d make me a special “young person’s price,” and so he did. I paid $79 a night that first time at Casa Albertina in 1986. Casa Albertina is a beautiful little family run hotel, where you get luxury at a lower price. The guest rooms are very nice, and the public areas, including the sitting room, dining room, and bar area are all beautifully appointed. I stayed at Casa Albertina for four days, then I also took two days exploring la Bella Napoli. I’d do the same in the Summer of 1988, with two days in Rome, before heading down to Capri and the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and one more night in Rome before flying home the next day to JFK.
This has been Excerpt from Bestselling Italian Cookbook author Daniel Bellino Zwicke’s New Forthcoming Book – POSITANO The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE … Coming November 28, 2020 on Amazon …
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