As I mentioned in my recent post on Positano, I recently returned from a wonderful trip to the Amalfi Coast and, as a massive instagram-food-obsessed-lover, I already had a few ideas of restaurants I just had to try. Last year Millie Mackintosh posted a photo on Instagram of a pretty special pasta dish, Spaghetti alla Jacqueline from La Tonerella. I took a boat and visited this restaurant simply to sample this very dish. OTT? Yes, probably, definitely... but my belly didn't think so. After calling the restaurant to reserve a table, we waited by the dock in Amalfi for their private boat to collect us. This is a free boat although it's not particularly regular, therefore do call and check to see when it arrives. The other alternative is to take a taxi to Conca Dei Marini and walk down 400 steps to the beach, or take a water taxi which will cost approximately 50 Euro. Fortunately, we were the only two on the boat so it was quite romantic and so lovely to see Amalfi from the sea. I have extreme vertigo (inner ear hell) so had to take tablets before but it wasn't too choppy and was rather refreshing to feel the sea breeze on a hot, sunny day! Conca Dei Marini is a pretty town built on a hill, located between Amalfi and Furore. The beach is home to a few restaurants, clear blue water and a perfectly pleasant pebble beach. It's like time stops for a moment, so relaxing and peaceful, the perfect lunchtime spot. On arrival we went straight to the restaurant and selected a table on the beach while a slightly grumpy waiter served us. Jon ordered a mixed grill of seafood and I went for, wait for it, their signature dish Spaghetti alla Jacqueline. Spaghetti alla Jacqueline was as fabulous as I had dreamt it to be (yes, I dream about food) - the pasta al dente and yet so light, tasty and cooked to perfection with a generous dusting of parmesan. Jon loved his mixed grill too and commented that it was his favourite seafood from the trip! If you've got this far and you're interested in the story behind Spaghetti alla Jacqueline, well it is based on Jacqueline Kennedy who frequently visited in 1962 and requested the pasta dish with bacon. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're visiting Amalfi but also the beach on Conca Dei Marini as there are loungers for you to rent and I am pretty sure I spotted a few small rowing boats that you can hire... anway it would be perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sunshine!
