Friday 14 July 2017

Trattoria da Emilia, Sorrento


One of the most magical moments in a day is sunset.

Some are so beautiful that not even the strongest of words can quite describe the phenomenon before our eyes.

The sunset in Sorrento, however, is quite literally the best I've ever seen. The sun drowns and disappears into the endless sea, dispersing colours of peach, orange, red and indigo into the faded blue of the sky. After seeing it on our very first night, we decided to make the most of it by having dinner at one of Sorrento's best-known restaurants by the sea.


We began the day by exploring what the charming town had to offer.

And let me tell you, plenty of pasta and limoncello!


THE best shop for all things lemon/ orange-flavoured (biscuits, bottles of limoncello, cakes, jams and so much more). It's quite the attraction so head there early for a quiet shop.


After sunning ourselves by the beach at Leonelli's, we headed to Restaurant Fuoro.

It wasn't somewhere we read about, but a cute little spot in the midst of town we saw earlier.


We enjoyed a very unique and interesting dish, native to Sorrento and a speciality of this restaurant; risotto with lemons and oranges, topped with crushed walnuts.

It was incredibly sweet and fruity (obviously I guess), and a taste I've never experienced before. I highly recommend trying this dish if you head to this restaurant - which you should - as you won't taste anything quite so light, fresh and one-of-a-kind.

And washed down with a few glasses of wine, it became the long, slow Italian lunch that dreams are made of.


But once again, the evening creeped upon us and we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for yet more carbs and more wine. What. A. Life.

Dress - Zara
Earrings - Accessorize
Bag - Zara
Shoes - Office

Wearing one of my all-time favourite dresses in my wardrobe. It's simple, clean and feels rather like a giant t-shirt - pretty perfect for hiding all the pasta and wine I've been consuming.

I'm very proud to say it cost me a mere £5 in a Zara sale a few years back (and yes, I say that with the biggest grin on my face to anyone whom asks where it's from). 

Sadly, it's no longer available. But it's a classic Zara shirt-dress design so they're offering a lot of alternatives this season. Check out this, this, and this to see what I'm on about.

My sister Jess looking her usual beautiful self.

Top and shorts - Zara
Bag - Topshop
Earrings - French Connection

Now, time for that sunset.

We were a little hesitant that we wouldn't quite see that tranquil sun downer we so hoped for as the clouds flew in from nowhere.

Nevertheless, we walked down towards Sorrento's most famous restaurant, Trattoria da Emilia. It also happens to be one of Sophia Loren's favourites, and has been since the 1960s.


Come on, I'll show you why it's the best.


Situated on the Marina Grande, with its decked terrace skimming the water's edge, this is a place like no other.

While you won't be the only tourist to grab a table - it is in fact an attraction in its own right - it's still a restaurant where local Italians flock to for the best dishes in town. It's always a good indication when locals visit too. Make sure to sit by the water, but if you venture inside, you'll be dining in a former boat shed.

Trattoria da Emilia is a no frills, family-run joint with honest, simple and delicious food at its heart. Besides the perfect location (seriously, Marina Grande is pretty special in Sorrento. It's rustic Italian authenticity at its finest. Expect plenty of laundry hanging from windows, residents shouting from apartment to apartment, hand gestures in abundance), the food is bloody marvellous. Pictorial evidence coming your way down below.


Luckily, we caught the last table free but it just so happened to be the best, perched right on the water. There were a few cheeky seagulls eyeing up the food however (although, you know what the Italians are like, even the birds could've been checking us girls out).


It was only expected that more pasta was to be consumed. But I have to say, I tried a different kind of every time! This was an exquisite mozzarella-filled ravioli soaked in fresh tomato sauce and basil. It was light yet decadent, fresh yet full of flavour and satisfying enough to bring a cheeky grin to my face after every mouthful.

Jess tried her very first clam dish. She was a little hesitant at first but absolutely adored the unique taste. The spaghetti with clams is a speciality at the restaurant and a hugely popular choice.


We had actually gate-crashed a wedding this night, as the happy couple celebrated from across the pier in the most exquisite location possible. Ah, an Italian wedding - how bliss is that?

They had quite a cracking playlist with some of my favourite songs, just to make our evening that bit more heavenly. "She's Always A Woman To Me" - Billy Joel, wafting into our ears while we smile into the sun, wine in hand, is a moment I genuinely hope to never forget.


It's not hard to understand why it's one of Loren's favourites. And as it seems, just about everyone else's in Sorrento too.


We walked down towards the end of the Marina before heading back up to the main stretch of the town, seeing all of the twinkling lights shimmer like stars in the night sky.


Quintessential Italian life at its finest.
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