Capri Blu has a cozy neighborhood feel

Greer Wylder

Capri Blu Ristorante opened early January in an unlikely location, in

former office spaces, adjacent to one of Newport’s best shopping

destinations: Westcliff Court on Westcliff Drive. Locals weren’t used

to seeing blue and white umbrellas in front of the stark building

with a steel blue granite facade. It took a while to realize it was a

restaurant.

The interior was stripped of its office decor, and a drastic

remodel transformed the space into a comfortable restaurant with a

separate full bar area. Walls were glazed in warm golden tones,

arches were added, and about 15 wood tables improved the ambience.

The front patio area was spruced up with potted trees for outdoor

dining.

Capri Blu is quickly becoming the new neighborhood hangout. It’s

the only local Italian restaurant of its type. Many like to eat at

the cozy bar. The staff is friendly and accommodating.

Owner Giuseppe Vitiello, originally from Capri, Italy, relocated

to Newport Beach after tiring of the cold in Telluride, Colo., where

he owned two successful restaurants -- Rustico and La Piazza.

Vitiello, along with his cousin and chef Fabio Maresca, was drawn

here by the warm climate reminiscent of the island of Capri.

Many dishes have a Capri theme, named after the island’s most

beautiful destinations. There’s fettuccine Monte Saloro, linguine

Punta Carena, linguine Punta Vivara and penne Via Li Campi. The lunch

menu offers gil antipasti (appetizers), le insalate (salads), i

panini (sandwiches) le pizza, and le paste (pasta).The dinner menu

offers gil antipasti, le insalate, le zuppe (soup), le pizza, secondi

(main courses), risotto and le paste.

Specials usually include a trio of wonderfully prepared fresh

fish, a trio of meats, pizza, soups and dessert. Some say the best

thin-crust pizzas in town are here. All pizzas are made in a

Napoli-style wood burning oven on a lava rock stone, heated with

olive tree wood for subtle flavor.

Guests immediately receive a basket of freshly baked rosemary

focaccia and breadsticks. For wine aficionados, there’s an impressive

wine selection. Vitiello’s Telluride restaurants were mentioned in

the July 2002 issue of Wine Spectator, and for three years were named

“Award of Excellence” winners.

Hard-to-find Italian wines are Capri Blu’s specialty. Brandy,

cognac, grappa, ports and specialty coffee drinks are available, too.

The specialty soup, a puree of spinach, potato and onion, lacked

flavor. The carpaccio di manzo ($11.50), thinly sliced raw beef

tenderloin served with fresh arugula, capers olive oil and thinly

sliced Parmigiano cheese, was almost perfect, except the arugula

wasn’t as lively as expected.

All other dishes were excellent. La caprese ($8.50) with fresh

buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and olive oil had flavorful,

fresh vine-ripened tomatoes that make or break that dish. Gamberoni

al sughetto ($10.50), jumbo shrimp sauteed with fresh spicy tomatoes,

white wine, garlic and olive oil is a definite must -- irresistible

especially for garlic lovers. Penne alla grappa is rich and simple,

with ham, radicchio and grappa pink sauce.

Dessert choices include Italian classics like tiramisu, panna

cotta, semifreddo with zabaglione covered with chocolate ice cream

and decorated with hazelnut and cocoa; and sorbetto and gelato. The

dessert special, torta di ricotta, is worth ordering, not too sweet

-- fresh ricotta, with a hint of lemon. The “famous” Lemoncello, a

lemon liqueur freshly made there, complements all desserts.

Capri Blu’s use of simple, fresh, authentic ingredients helps make

this restaurant an instant hit, along with a caring and enthusiastic

staff.

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Gustaf Anders, known for its Continental, Swedish and American

cuisine, will be serving its famous smorgasbord brunch for Father’s

Day. Popular dishes at Gustaf Anders include gravlax, wild rice

pancakes topped with smoked salmon, caviar and creme fraiche. The

house-baked breads and iced aquavit are ideal with the herring and

the Vasterbotten cheese. Don’t miss the large selection of caviars.

Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; and for

dinner from 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. South Coast Plaza Village.

(714) 668-1737.