Gaeta Restaurants

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When we were in Gaeta in 1997, I would come downstairs from our apartment that was upstairs and have a cappuccino every morning. I would stand at the bar with all the men and drink the most delicious and biggest cappuccino, I think, in all of Italy!

I made lots of friendships here at Bar Bazzanti and had fond memories of it. On cold winter days in Chicago, I would daydream about this wonderful establishment in Gaeta.

It seems to be the center of activity in the ancient center of Gaeta. Lots of police and military people come here; older men hang out here in the mornings; and I noticed that more and more women were here this time. Yes, culture has changed in nine years.

I remember that naval people came in here in 1997. When the ships are in dock, that is still true.
All the people who own it (family owned) were still here working. The young couples 2-year-old was now an 11 year-old! That puts things in perspective.

I was able to talk to one of the owners. He is such a kind and helpful man. He caught me up on all the people who still come here whom I met in 1997. It's so good to know that people remember who you are.

Favorite Dish: As usual, I had a delicious large cup of cappuccino, and since I needed to take my medicine, I also ordered a fresh glass of orange juice. It's always so much fun to watch them make the fresh orange juice; that's such a rare treat now days.

Allan and I came her about three times, and Allan would go across the street to the newstand,bookstore and purchase his International Harold Tribune [just like 9 years ago], and we would sit outside and drink our cappuccinos. Ah, pure bliss!

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The Receptionist at our hotel suggested eating at Al Vecchio Leone Masaniello [Masaniello as it is called]. So, we decided to try it. What a great idea.

I just loved all the ceramic work through this small, family-owned trattoria with its brick-oven for pizza making, and the "Mamma" who sits at the front table and greets everyone.

It was quite crowded on that Wednesday night in October. Filled mostly with locals; however, I did notice that this time, we were not the only tourist.

This was also the night that a young man who was Indian came into the restaurant selling roses. Allan, being the romantic that he is, purchased two roses for me. What a guy!

We were here for more than two hours and had a wonderful evening.

Favorite Dish: We started out with a delicious basket of warm breads, which we dipped in olive oil and cheese. We order aqua minerale naturale (water without gas); Allan had the local Rosso wine and I had the local Bianco Wine.

I ordered a pomodoro salad (tomato salad) and 4-cheese with Penne pasta. Allan Had fresh fish, and grilled mushrooms; we shared a dish of olives and a cheese platter. After dinner, we had dessert...a Chocolate Torte and a Lemon Cake with expresso.

All of this came to 57 Euro! The tomato salad was superb! The pasta literally overwhelmed my taste buds it was so delightful. Allan's fish was excellent. We devoured our olives and our cheeses on the Cheese Plate. Needless to say, the desserts were terrific; perhaps the lemon was a tad strong. All-in-all, it was another fabulous Italian meal.

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On the second night in Gaeta, we ate at a small restaurant that was suggested by the girl at our hotel. It is called Emily's.

Allan was in the mood to have an Italian beer so he ordered a Peroni Beer so I decided to have my first Coke. They do not put ice in the cola, so that is why I seldom order them in Italy.

Allan ordered on the locally caught fresh fish with Italian Brocolie [which looks as though it is Spinach!].

I ordered and enjoyed Tomato and Mozzerella Cheese and a Tomato, Basil Salad. Both of these dishes were excellent.

As usual, we had Aqua naturale [without gas]. The delicious bread was served and a charge is made per person. [a custom in Italy]

It was a low-keyed meal that we enjoyed very much.

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It was our last night in Gaeta on this second visit, and we just wanted a "nightcap" and a expresso and cappuccino. We saw this attractive sign and lovely looking spot in the corner right next to the apartment that we had lived in for two months in 1997. We assumed that it was new, and we wanted to check it out.

What a surprise to us when we discovered that this place had been in that same spot nine years ago. Evidently, we had passed every day for two months, and did not notice it. Of course, we did not eat out much that first time we stayed in the apartment.

This time, we ordered our coffee drinks and were and had after-dinner drinks. The woman who owned it with her husband brought us delicious cookies. They showed us around both the downstairs, which is more like a bar and caffe, and the upstairs which is for dinner and relaxation.
They wanted us to eat here the next day, but we had to tell them that we were leaving.

Favorite Dish: PHOTOGRAPHS:

1. A photo of the man who owns Club "Il Drappo".

2. The sign that attracted us to this spot in the corner up high.

3. The attractive tables and decor of the place.

4. The wrought-iron spiral staircase to the second, more formal floor.

5. The comfortable lounge area in the formal dining room.

What a wonderful experience to meet this lovely family [one of their two daughters were there also]. And, what an beautiful bar, caffe, and restaurant.

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When we were in Gaeta nine years ago, we followed the advice of the people that we were renting from and tried this restaurant on our first night in the city. We just loved the brick-oven pizza, the ambience, the man who owned it. We always promised that if we returned to Gaeta, we would return here.

We kept that promise, nine years later. The man who used to be there was no longer there; however, we think that his relatives still run the restaurant. Not much has altered.

What is so wonderful about Calpurnio is that it was built atop an ancient site, and some of the ruins from that site are still visible inside the restaurant. The second photograph is an example of what I mean.

Favorite Dish: Our meal on this October evening consisted of bread, Insalata Mista; one Margherita Brick-Oven Pizza; one Funghi Brick-oven Pizza, One 1/2 L of Bianco Wine; One Italian Birra (beer), and one bottle of Acqua Minerale Naturale

We also asked for a dish of olives [which we were served but not charged].

It was a leisurely meal in this crowded osteria. We were the only tourist as tourist seldom come to Gaeta, which still amazes me.

We certainly missed the warm smile and kind gestures of the older man who cooked and served us and gave us free liqueur in 1997; however, the people who cooked and served us in 2007 were certainly kind and efficient.

My favorite place to go in Gaeta when I'm in the mood for fresh fried fish. Its a pretty cheap plate of fish (maybe 6 Euro) and they are bought fresh everyday.

Favorite Dish: Fried mixed fish of the sea I think is the name (in Italain of course)

The first time I ate here was Friday, April 16, 2004 at around 22:30. The place was almost completely empty. They have excellent staff and a great chef. CHIUSO IL MARTEDI!!!

Favorite Dish: Risotto ai funghi porcini is wonderful because I love mushrooms and rice.

Most times, I would cook a meal right in our Apartment #26 in Gaeta. I loved shopping each morning for fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, garlic, wine, and fresh pasta.

Each night for dinner we would have a different kind of pasta and a different sauce. We always had a wonderful salad, fresh baked bread with a plate of extra-virgin Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese for dipping the hot bread.

Of course, we would also have a bottle of Italian wine.

Favorite Dish: After dinner, we would take a nice long walk around town and then go for Geleto or an Italian dessert or simply have fresh strawberries.

Everything was always so delicious because all of the ingredients were purchased that morning.

I think it's a much better way of shopping. Here in USA we shop weekly rather than daily. I would only buy small portions that I would use up each day.

What a way to eat; what a way to live!