LIFE'S ANOTHER MISTRI: DAY DREAMING OF THE AMALFI COAST

Yesterday, our local list serve for Capitol Hill parents, "Moms on the Hill", posted that they would be offering "Music Together" classes in Italian. Dylan and I are veterans of one session of such toddler/Mom togetherness, and let's just say neither of us felt it was our cup of tea. Nonetheless, I found the prospect of doing the class in Italian intriguing. Would it be in pseudo-Italian, the same awkward and cringe-worthy songs sung in Italian? Do I need to be fluent? Is there a contingent of Italians that have moved to the Hill creating a need for such a service that I am not aware? As I pondered these thoughts, my mind started visiting the Amalfi Coast: swimming in the beautiful Mediterranean, the smell of the lemon trees, plump green olives in my cocktail as I sit on a veranda over-looking the sea...

I love nowhere in the world more than the Amalfi Coast. I have been fortunate to travel throughout the world, and my husband and my wanderlust forces us away from returning to places we have already been; however, the Amalfi Coast is one of the few exceptions. I adore it. It has all the magnificent traits of Italy as a whole; however, I find it more relaxed and beautiful than any other part of the country.

Due to our returning visits and rave reviews when friends ask us about, I tend to gush about things a bit...perhaps Steinbeck said it best in his essay published in Harper's Bazaar in May, 1953:

"Positano bites deep", Steinbeck wrote. "It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."

Here are some of my favorite things:

ONE.
Staying at Il San Pietro di Positano - this is where we always stay. It's so relaxing and ideally placed on the edge of Positano. My two favorite things about the hotel are it's "beach", a slab of rock that juts out into the Mediterranean, and the hotel's outdoor terrace for cocktails. Sublime.

TWO.
Dining at any of the following:

* Don Alfonso 1890, followed by a repeat tour of its amazing wine cellar built within ancient Roman tunnels. This chic and 2-star Michelin restaurant and hotel is located in the quaint village of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. Its food is locally-sourced, collection of wines is impressive, as well as many of its cheeses and meats aging to perfection at the base of the wine cellar.

(Call or book online for a reservation.)

* Enjoying a long, amazing dinner at Donna Rosa, in Montepertuso, high above Positano.

(Call for a reservation.)
Address: Via Montepertuso, 97-99, 84017 Positano
Phone:+39 089 811806

* Lunch at the outdoor grill at Il San Pietro. Ambling up from the water + caprese + a cold glass of wine = PERFECTION.

* Outdoor eating on the terrace at Le Sirenuse. While La Sponda, the romantic main restaurant is divine sitting nestled amongst all the candles; sitting outdoors overlooking the Mediterranean and enjoying cocktails and grazing on oysters, is also a treat!

* Chez Black on the promenade in Positano. Great casual place to people-watch, drink terrific wine and eat delicious pizza. During our time there, we often go multiple times during the week for a casual meal. The owner is charming and after multiple returns, can often arrange for you to avoid the wait, and sit at one of the coveted side-walk tables. It's a true gem.