a treasure chest of island flavors
Il Riccio, Italian for sea-urchin, is a seductive word for all those who love the sea… and all the more so if you’re in Italy’s most exclusive island, gorgeous Capri. Endowed with an intensely inspiring landscape made of dramatic cliffs which rise majestically from an incredibly blue sea, sumptuous mansions drowned in wisteria and bougainvillea, trees which seem painted by an artist and evocative poetic reminiscences, Capri is one of the most beautiful islands on earth.
Alongside its poetic allure, the palpably deluxe aura yields fancy boutiques, glistening jewellers, picturesque cafès and lovely restaurants. Perched high up a Capri cliffside, in one of the island’s most glorious spots, rises Il Riccio, forever one of the island’s leading haven of magnificently prepared fresh fish and seafood. Offering an alluring blue and white dècor, mosaics and wood, a sophisticated, yet pleasantly simple, atmosphere, Il Riccio is a temple of superb Mediterranean style cuisine.
Sought-after ever since the 50s and 60s, when it was called Add’o Riccio and daily filled up with VIPs and movie stars, it lives on today as part of the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa, to delight locals and visitors with mouth-watering local fare made with the freshest fish and seafood. Il Riccio’s stylish, chic and captivating new look was created by architect Marco De Luca, who concentrated on a white and blue colour scheme, enhancing it with polished Mediterranean wood furnishings, and mosaic tiles. All in all a very seductive ambiance, which definitely embodies Capri’s iconic style, and is enhanced by the stunning position. The restaurant, in fact, rises high on the cliffs right above the Blue Grotto, Capri’s most salient sight. The cuisine, genuine and flavorful with a virtuoso flair, honors typical flavors and the excellent local seafood and fish.
Il Riccio’s splendid open kitchen allows guests to appreciate close-up views of Resident Chef Giovanni Bavuso and Head Chef Giovanni Elefante as they mince, mix and perfect dishes prepared using the finest and freshest catch of the day. Giovanni Bavuso, Resident Chef since 2016 and previously at L’Olivo where he worked alongside Executive Chef Andrea Migliaccio, is famous throughout Italy for his signature dish. Luscious “Spaghetti alla Chitarra” with fresh sea urchins, a simple hearty recipe which blends Italian tradition and local seafood perfectly symbolizing Chef Bavuso’s style.
Other delectable flagship dishes include Salvatore Elefante’s extraordinary plateau royal, a feast of choice raw fish and seafood comprising the best daily selection of clams, scampi, tuna, cuttlefish etc… and breaded black cod medallions. Native of Gragnano, birthplace of Italy’s best pasta, Salvatore Elefante loves enhancing intense flavours and local tradition, a feature which earned him and Il Riccio its Michelin star, in 2013.
As the Michelin guide critics suggest, one should never leave Il Riccio before visiting the exquisite majolica-tiled Temptation Room. Its brightly colored walls, in fact, embrace a decadent buffet dripping with traditional Neapolitan sweets and pastries, including, but not limited to, tantalizing rhum babàs, almond and chocolate caprese cake, tarts and shell-shaped pastry sfogliatelle filled with deliciously delicate vanilla cream. Needless to say, all desserts are homemade and lovingly baked in the restaurant’s pastry ovens.
Making the most of its position the restaurant is spacious, pleasantly light and airy. Elegant and refined, it’s also colorful, charming and warm, thanks to the tiles and majolicas. The lovely open terrace which overlooks the water is a great spot to enjoy the view, watch the boats sail away, and lose oneself in the pleasant atmosphere and seafront echoes.
In addition to the restaurant Il Riccio provides guests with several other truly enchanting spaces.
Those wishing to sunbathe and have a swim before or after lunch, can enjoy the restaurant’s private beach club, right on the water. Offering pretty blue tables under an exotic thatched roof, white cabanas, sun decks and stairs right into the gleaming sea, the Il Riccio Beach Club offers a sophisticated, quintessentially caprese beach scene.
Il Riccio also provides a spectacular Sea Lounge, one of Capri’s most sensational seafront terraces, which daily welcomes guests of the Hotel Capri Palace as well as guests of Il Riccio restaurant. Nestled among the cliffs, beneath the shining sun and caressing island breezes, Il Riccio Sea Lounge is the perfect spot to relax, enjoying a pre-dinner Italian aperitivo, whilst admiring the views of the Mediterranean sea. When the sun sets, a professional DJ lights up the scene with pleasant tunes and cheer.
