Quattro Passi Massalubrense

Born out of their passion for cooking, in the beautiful setting of Marina Cantone of Nerano, lies Rita and Tonino Mellino's marvellous restaurant.
In 1974, having completed his studies at the prestigious Naples' Hotel Academy, Antonio Mellino actually started his career aboard cruise liners as a waiter, although his dream was to open a little restaurant in his home town of Nerano.
A decade later, in 1984, he realised that dream and, in just a few years, the name "Quattro Passi" had become known throughout Italy receiving recognition and acclaim for its excellent cuisine. In 1997 Mellino won the Espresso's 'Pommery' prize, in 1998 he was granted the 'Pastai d'Italia' award by the 'Accademia della Cucina Italiana', and in 1999 he was called upon by the Meridien chain in Japan to teach courses in the cooking of the Campagna region.
In the year 2000, in his authoritative guidebook, Gino Veronelli, defined the chef as both an inspired and knowledgeable inventor of a relatively new kind of cooking, result of sudden flashes of genius.
In the November of 2000, having just returned from a gastronomic tour of the finest Swiss restaurants, where he had represented the Campagna region, Mellino discovered, much to his delight and surprise, that the Michelin guide had awarded him one of its much sought after stars.
In October 2002 his skill was recognised at the 'Accademia Internazionale des Gourmets et des Traditions Gastronomiques'

(Translated from "Ristoranti d'Italia 2003" - Espresso Guide)
The clientele is, by now, international, arriving from Capri and from the boats which stop in the Bay of Nerano. Fortunately, the style of the restaurant has not changed. At 'Quattro Passi' guests always feel immediately at their ease, thanks to the attentiveness and courtesy of Rita and Tonino Mellino who welcome them into this oasis of relaxation where fish and sea food are the speciality.
During the summer months one absolutely must eat at one of the beautifully set tables on the shady terrace, a terrace stylishly furnished with light coloured woods, wicker, and majolica.
The cellar is a delight to behold with its 15 thousand bottles, some of which extremely rare, with a wine list which offers a selection of 1200 labels.
There is also a thriving vegetable garden where the ingredients for many of the dishes are grown. In this earthly paradise one can savour sumptuous starters such as 'il crudo di pesce', Nassa scampi on a bed of artichokes, Lobster salad with wild flowers. Amongst the first courses the 'paccheri' with ragu of poussin or with mussels and potatoes, the ravioli filled with 'pescatrice' fish, and the risotto with scallops and ginestra flowers, are excellent. The fish, which arrives from the bay beneath the restaurant, is all of superb - rock mullet, fried 'paranza' with tempura style vegetables, delicious parcels of 'pezzogna' with curly 'scarola' and pine nuts.
Local cheeses are served with citrus preserves, the sorbets and hot and cold desserts are delicious (mousse of ricotta with woodland berry sauce, Bavarian mousse with wild strawberries in raspberry sauce, crunchy nut dessert served with warm chocolate).
You can expect to spend about 60 euros for a gastronomic experience which you will not easily forget.

Number 13/N in Via Amerigo Vespucci, the road from Massalubrense which runs along the Sorrentine peninsula, and leads to Marina del Cantone in the bay of Nerano.