Antonio De Agelis’s father, Francesco, was the chef at the Quisisana Hotel [see separate article] until 1929. Two years later, in 1931, he opened his restaurant near the Piazzetta, which soon started to enjoy the patronage of the writers who were beginning to flock to Capri – people like Graham Greene.

You will know when you look at the available wines that this is no run-of-the-mill trattoria - indeed the restaurant has its own wine shop nearby. The pages of the wine list contain some very grand bottles. Prices run from a modest sum for the house white or red to 3,200€ for the 2015 vintage of the famous super-Tuscan, Masseto. Other great names to tempt the wine lover include Sassicaia (the 2015 is
1,800€), Solaia (2010 - 1,000€) Tignanello (2011 - 350€) and, of course, Angelo Gaja (his 2008 barbaresco is 480€). On this visit I quaffed local wines: a pleasantly fruity Falanghina and a good bottle of robust red, an Aglianico by Beneventano.

The food cooked by Chef Filippo Rispoli is entirely right. Chef Rispoli has manned the stoves here for thirty years and he knows his business. He takes fine ingredients and cooks them simply and expertly. The resulting dishes are full of tastes which are clear and direct. Fish-lovers are well served, but so also are we carnivores. I began with ravioli alla Caprese - a dish which was as delicious as it was large, and it was very large. There are so many disappointing versions of this dish: it was a relief to return to one which spoke so clearly of culinary excellence. Next was grilled fillet of beef. It looked like an ordinary dish, but the beef was of such high quality and so tasty, and the onions and roasted potatoes were so appealing, that it is still clear in my memory. I ended with a super example of a crème caramel. This was a really enjoyable dinner of classic dishes. (Allow around 60€-75€ for three courses.)

So here is the enchantment of a great family-run Italian restaurant on the magical island of Capri. Seek out La Capannina. You will not be disappointed.