La Bersagliera Ristorante

Borgo Marinari 10/11
Napoli 80132
Tel.: +39 (0) 81 764 6016

Saturday 16th March 2002

We were tired. We had spent the latter part of the afternoon getting lost in Naples’ Spanish Quarter, and Vomero so it didn't take a lot of thought to decide to pop across the road from the hotel.

The Bersagliera is situated in the Borgo Marinaro, right opposite our hotel and in the shadow of the Castell dell’Ovo and was a natural choice. That and the fact that I’d read good reviews whilst researching Naples for our trip.

As it was mid-March, we felt it wasn’t quite warm enough to eat in the covered terrace overlooking the marina – even though it was equipped with heaters.

We were led to our table and offered a glass of spumante while we perused the menu. The restaurant is interestingly decorated, with ceramic tiles and plasterwork, and was reasonably full. The waiters weren’t as expert as we’ve come to expect in Naples, but nothing to complain about.

I decided to start with Alici Marinate – marinated anchovies. Marg declined a starter. The anchovies were excellent, and did a perfect job of getting the juices flowing.

Main course for Marg was the perennial “Penne Arrabiata”, while I had a simply grilled Sea Bass with a little mixed salad. The house wine was very disappointing, thin and flavourless. Marg’s penne were in fact very good, as was my Sea Bass.

One thing I’ve noticed in Neapolitan restaurants is the portion sizes are smaller than I’m used to in England. I find this rather pleasing as all too often there is too much on the plate to look appetising and it ends up being a struggle trying to polish the plate off (as I’d been brought up to do). I have no doubts that should one be extraordinarily hungry, the addition of side dishes, and consumption of bread (which is also more common in Italy than in England) would suffice.

The bill, including coffees and mineral water, came to €34.10 (£22.00) so I feel it represented extremely good value.

The overall experience was pretty good, and only a slight hesitancy on the part of the waiters, and the poor wine detracted from the evening.

No – there was one other thing. The travelling band of minstrels which seem to afflict every restaurant. They – and the rose sellers – really are annoying. Although I did see some people who genuinely seemed to enjoy the music, or appreciate a rose from their partner, the majority would rather they weren’t disturbed by these pushy troubadours.

Sandro and Marg