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My friend Margaret’s office is located in Old City just steps from historic Christ Church. We made plans to meet for lunch and decided on Positano Coast near the Ritz Five. Although I dined there more than six years ago, Margaret and I were in the mood for light Italian fare.
Positano Coast is awash in blue and white. The menu is authentic Italian and features an array of salads, pasta, fish, fowl, beef and veal.
We sipped iced tea and decided to share the small antipasto ($12). Luscious charcuterie and vegetables arrived on a wooden board along with a basket of bread and small dish of olive oil. We munched on fresh buffalo mozzarella, small chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano, sharp provolone, Prosciutto di Parma, speck, salame, caponata that was spread on a piece of toasted bread, grilled artichokes, olives and a dreamy confit made with oyster mushrooms. This was a luscious way to begin our meal as each ingredient was fresh and brimming with flavor.
From the salads, we selected grilled artichoke ($8) and spinach ($8). Both were generous enough for two. I felt the grilled artichokes should have been the star of the salad rather than a supporting player because the plate was filled with spicy baby arugula, a red Belgian endive that was beautifully julienned and shards of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The salad was dressed in a light vinaigrette with a hint of pesto. I toted half of it home and mixed it with greens for a light supper.
Margaret and I did not care for raspberry vinaigrette, which was the dressing for the spinach salad. Our server brought her three ramekins with different dressings so she could make her selection. Margaret decided on a balsamic vinaigrette, which she spooned over fresh baby spinach leaves, bits of sweet red onion, spicy pecans and ricotta salata that was as fresh tasting as the cheeses on our antipasto.
A true test of an Italian restaurant is how the chefs prepare pasta with clams. I asked our server if I could have linguine instead of capellini.
The dish ($10) was a winner. Fresh linguine was tossed in a light white wine sauce enhanced by the right touch of garlic, red pepper flakes and parsley. Perfectly steamed littleneck clams, nestled in their shells, were set atop the pasta. Since we were provided with share plates, I spooned some of my entrée onto one for Margaret to sample. It was so downright delicious, I ate every bit.
Next up was a hearty serving of mussels ($10) prepared with spicy bits of chorizo floating in a broth redolent of sage and tomatoes. The mussels were a bit on the cool side as was the sauce. This was a play on the classic clams and chorizo, which is a highlight of Portuguese cuisine. Still, it was tasty but would have fared better if it were hotter.
We shared a light lemon mousse ($7) topped with whipped cream and berry coulis and coffee, which was strong but not piping hot. It was an apt ending to a lady’s lunch.
Service was a bit spotty. We had to ask for more iced tea and salt and pepper because our server was also tending bar. However, a gentleman brought us more bread without having to ask for it.
Positano Coast is a go-to place before or after catching a film at the Ritz Five. The restaurant features happy-hour specials on food and drink from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday.
Two-and-a-half tips of the toque to Positano Coast. SPR
Positano Coast
212 Walnut St.
215-238-0499
www.positanocoast.net
51752139
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