Nestled a few steps from Milsons Point train station is La Capannina Restaurant, one of the best-hidden jewels in the area for Italian food. It also took out the title of outstanding restaurant at this year’s North Shore Local Business Awards.
This restaurant has much more going on than just food; it is an experience, a journey of flavours to the heart of the Italian island of Capri, hometown of owner Lino Mascolo.
Lino and his wife, Rosalia, came to Australia 50 years ago and have worked in the restaurant industry since then. In July 2011, along with their two daughters, Francesca and Sara, they opened the doors of La Capannina.
To Lino, the key for his success is passion and love for what they do. “It’s all fresh. I go to the market every morning,” says Lino, who makes sure he works closely with their chefs to bring the flavours of his island to your plate.
“I know the flavours, and although we do some small twists, we want you to experience Capri through our food,” he adds with a big smile.
For us, the journey starts right at the door with Sara’s big, warm smile. The relaxed, peaceful atmosphere makes us feel on holiday straight away.
The menu features specialties from Capri that could please the fussiest of palates, especially if you love seafood.
We started with the antipasti: polpo alla griglia, grilled octopus; and the house special, beef carpaccio.
For mains we enjoyed the rigatoni al ragú d’anatra, a house-made rigatoni, with a slow-cooked duck ragú. And the grilled black Angus eye fillet.
Each bite made us not just feel closer to Capri, but also that warm feeling of being treated as part of the family.
While we enjoyed an after-lunch coffee, we finalised our experience with Mama Rosalia’s specialty, torta Caprese, a traditional chocolate and almond cake from Capri, and a classic tiramisú.
Rosalia and Sara walk around the tables, making sure that each guest feels at home.
“This is like our living room, and each of our customers is just like family members that are coming to visit,” says Sara. “That’s what we want to serve, food that is not just delicious and authentic, but that brings people together.”
La Capannina’s open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner and Friday for lunch.
La Capannina Restaurant
41 South Alfred Street, Milsons Point
lacapannina.com.au
Phone 9955 5928