Capri, a new southern Italian-inspired restaurant, has popped up under a canopy of lemon trees on the main floor of the Eataly marketplace in Century City.
The limited-time indoor/outdoor dining experience conjures up the atmosphere of the Amalfi coast with an installation of Vietri ceramics hand-painted with the restaurant's signature lemon motif, as well as a patio with sweeping westside views, where the tables are shaded by blue and white umbrellas typical of Capri's beach clubs.
Grilled swordfish with lemon and capers (Michele Stueven)
Executive Chef and Naples native Giuseppe Manco pays meticulous attention to the coastal menu - heavy on seafood, pasta and market vegetables.?
Pizzas include a traditional Neapolitan white buffalo mozzarella with chili oil and basil, and a more dramatic housemade Stracciatella with mounds of arugula and sweet cherry tomatoes topping the creamy fresh mozzarella curds. Cheese is king at Capri, with a tableside caprese cart that offers three different varieties of mozzarella, with a selection of local tomatoes and other accompaniments.?
The scialatielli pasta with mussels and clams, as well as the homemade flower-shaped caciotta cheese-filled ravioli in a bright? tomato sauce, are primi standouts. Main courses worth trying are the tender grilled swordfish with lemon and capers, alongside sauteed spicy broccoli rabe. Continuing the California-meets-Capri theme, the Delizia di Limone dessert is a pillowy lemon sponge cake with Limoncello cream filling, lemon glaze, sprinkled with lemon zest. There's also a classic Babà al Rum al Taglio yeasted cake soaked in rum and filled with cream.
Stracciatella pizza (Michele Stueven)
Beverage Director and fellow Naples native Luigi Capasso turns things upside down with his Cocktail dei Faraglioni, a glass of prosecco garnished with a popsicle made from local fruit, and a build-your-own spritz option where you can choose your own preferred spirits for a personalized cocktail. And, an Italian gin and tonic with the aroma of rosemary, the lemon's best friend, is a refreshing sip on the patio overlooking? the Century City riviera.
Caciotta cheese-filled ravioli (Michele Stueven)
Capri meets California at Eataly (Michele Stueven)
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Grilled swordfish with lemon and capers (Michele Stueven)
Stracciatella pizza (Michele Stueven)
Caciotta cheese-filled ravioli (Michele Stueven)
Capri meets California at Eataly (Michele Stueven)