Picture this: a cozy, dimly-lit restaurant filled with inviting aromas of freshly-baked bread and simmering sauces. Bowls filled with steaming pasta are being dished out from the small kitchen around the back, and the walls are adorned with stunning landscape shots of the Italian coast. Families are laughing and smiling at each other, and the air is full of celebration and bliss.
No, you’re not in a quaint restaurant on the Amalfi Coast. You’re actually at Locanda Positano in Lafayette, just a mere 15 minutes away from Berkeley.
After my mom and I found ourselves craving Italian food this past weekend, we sought out some recommendations from my friends. I always love finding new restaurants, and what better occasion to try something new than on parents weekend so that I can share the experience with a loved one.
Upon entry, Locanda Positano seemed to be a homey establishment, with both a lively outdoor patio space and cozy indoor seating. I was quickly reminded of my time in Italy by the decor — it was so “Amalfi Coast” inspired. Everything was blue and yellow; there was even a little Vespa parked outside to really get the authentic feel. The atmosphere was eclectic and alive with that quintessential Italian lust for life.
The menu was small, but very thoughtfully curated. That’s always a good sign to me — it shows what the restaurant serves is only its specialties. Of course I had to start off with an Aperol Spritz, Italy’s signature cocktail. Then, we ordered the homemade bread and“fritto misto”(fried vegetables and seafood, similar to calamari)to start. Everything tasted so fresh already, and I had to keep myself from filling up on appetizers.
For main courses, my mom and I decided to split a caesar salad and “linguine alle vongole,” a spaghetti dish with clams and white wine sauce. This was my absolute favorite thing to order when I was in Italy, so I was especially excited to see this dish featured on the menu. Additionally, the restaurant serves specialty pizzas and a wide variety of gluten free and vegetarian options as well.
I also loved that the service was so kind and personable, making sure to indulge me and my mom and I in conversation about our weekend and experience dining at the restaurant. A few groups around us celebrated birthdays throughout the course of our meal — it all just felt so high-spirited.
Everything about the experience was unbeatable. Each dish was seasoned to perfection, and the food could not have been prepared better. If you’re looking for an authentic dining experience with a lovely atmosphere, I cannot recommend Locanda Positano more!