Da Carmine -- Our Favourite Naples Restaurant

Bill and I have been in Naples for three weeks now and we have eaten almost every day at the Antica Trattoria da Carmine.

 Behind this modest facade is a great, family-run restaurant. We discovered it twenty years ago in 1999. I was a new photographer then and passionate about portrait photography. 

 The charismatic Carmine invited me into his kitchen where I got this nice action shot. I made a print of this photograph and presented it to the current staff. Adele, who runs the restaurant, looked at the picture and said, "Papà!"

 Adele told me that the assistant on the left in my old photo was now their chef. Once more I went back into the kitchen where I met Nino Sacco, twenty years older, and his assistant, Ciro.

Adele, the late Carmine's daughter, runs the front of the house with an iron grip. She makes sure everything is running smoothly

and when necessary, will take your order, bus your table and deliver your food.

But on a good day it will be Maurizio, Adele's brother, who takes your order.

Or it may be Eduardo who takes your order and who carries on the family tradition of making all who call feel welcome.  

You will also become familiar with Carmela, who will bring your bread and drinks, deliver your food and clear your table as well as all the other bussing chores.

 We liked the food and service so much that we have been returning regularly and are eating our way through their menu.

We've grown fond of Antonio who drops in midway through lunch every day to sing traditional Napolitano songs in a fine voice.

 We are also fascinated by the other customers and are beginning to recognize the regulars.

OK -- lets have a look at the food that keeps us coming back. I will rarely pass up a risotto. This one is made with shrimp and garnished with rocket greens (rucola). 

All Italian restaurants have an insalata mista (mixed salad). This one has delicious green olives.

I so enjoyed this cacio e pepe ravioli with creamed zucchini flowers and whole peppercorns.

I had it with another basic Italian salad -- rucola greens and tomatoes. 

Bill devoured this swordfish steak

 with a side of stewed friarelli greens (rapini or broccoli rabe)

 Let's end our tour with this orecchiette pasta (little ears) in a pumpkin cream sauce with speck and walnuts. Hungry yet?

Da Carmine is closed today but Adele helped us celebrate Bill's 74th birthday yesterday. She appeared behind Bill's chair with a Baba au Rhum cake with a candle. When she put it on the table the house lights were briefly extinguished and the entire restaurant clapped and sang the Italian Happy Birthday song. 

 A complimentary bottle of prosecco appeared on the table and friendly strangers regaled Bill with cries of auguri (Best wishes!). What a place! Thank you Adele and thank you Da Carmine staff for making Bill's' Neapolitan birthday unforgettable.

And thank you Nino Sacco for all your delicious food. We have one more week in Naples. You will see us soon!