OPERA RESTAURANT
If you are looking for a creative and refined cuisine but don't like too formal atmospheres, here is a precious address: Opera Restaurant.
In the hilly district of Vomero, Opera Restaurant is the right destination for a cordial evening, in a well-kept environment that is anything but plastered.
THE LOCAL
Nato nel 2019 by the will of the three partners Marcello Frungillo, Guido Guida and Ciro Zambardino, the venue is a skilful mix of design elements (like the central sculpture – a big bright tree of life -, the brass bar counter and the semi-spiral staircase) and details such as the sofas and velvet chairs that give warmth. A set of style, sure good taste.
Circa 30 the seating, divided between the large room on the ground floor with soft lighting and a smaller and more reserved space on the first floor.
THE PROPOSAL
The chef's kitchen Raffaele Campagnola (previously right-hand man of the executive Gianluca D’Agostino at the starred restaurant Veritas in Naples) it is linear and attentive: studiata, but without excess.
The choice of dishes is à la carte, plus three tasting menus: Life in the Country (3 land courses plus desserts a 50 Euro), Mediterraneum (3 fish dishes plus desserts a 55 Euro), The works (7 portate a 70 Euro). Raffaele Campagnola himself also signs the desserts, there is no pastry chef in the brigade.
La carta dei vini, curated by the sommelier and taster Steffen Wagner, counts approx 60 cellars e 120 references (regional, national and international) between bubbles, bianchi, rosati, reds and dessert wines.
A wide selection of wines by the glass is also available every day.
We also point out that Opera Restaurant has obtained the mention in the guide Ristoranti d’Italia 2022 of Gambero Rosso with 78 points and a fork.
THE TASTING
We had the opportunity to try an extract of the menu thanks to the kind invitation of the Press Office Manager Laura Gambacorta (N.B. the portions in the photos are smaller than those usually served).
Care is always seen in the details: respectable the "covered" formed by the basket of bread and breadsticks of the house, to which are added the tastes of butter and an excellent extra virgin olive oil.
Benvenuto del giorno: gambero, burrata and herbs.
A delicious bite: Croaker marinated in soy sauce, burrata, crispy and centrifuged cucumber bread.
Octopus salad, potato cream with aromatic herbs, spinach and pumpkin seeds is proposed as an appetizer, but it's a wild card that would look good at any time of service.
Gragnano's Mezzi paccheri are very tasty, cuttlefish ragout, green chillies and datterini.
Probably my favorite dish (and not only for the presence of my beloved cheese): Tortelli stuffed with Taleggio di bufala alla Genovese and basil air.
We then arrive at the highlight of the dinner: the duck breast, chard and berry sauce, dish already perfect in itself (from cooking to combinations), it is combined with Pu'er Sheng-Pu prepared with Gong Fu Cha – the Chinese tea ritual – by the room manager Riccardo Abbruzzese (who knows a lot about tea, as we have documented in the past which and which). This dish and its Tea Pairing are part of the Opera Omnia tasting menu.
An experience, that of Chinese ceremonial, of great impact, able to fascinate even non-enthusiasts.
The pairing between food and tea is widespread in Eastern gastronomic cultures, and it would deserve more space also in our latitudes. Therefore, these precautions are welcome in our city.
Two samples of dessert to finish, of excellent workmanship and scenographic layout: Cheesecake with red berries, Meringue, crunchy sablé and lemon ice cream, and Bavarian white chocolate, composed of dehydrated apricots and basil madeleine.
There are therefore many reasons why Opera Restaurant is worth a visit: location, the kitchen, service, the Tea Pairing experience, the possibility of drinking a cocktail before or after dinner.
Opera Restaurant
Via Simone Martini, 2 - Naples
such. 081/0480758
www.operarestaurantnapoli.it