Il Gambero

LOCATIONS
Located in Sorrento.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Meaning “the prawn” in Italian, Il Gambero boasts a menu that offers so much seafood, you can’t possibly leave without sampling at least a little of it. Although the interior is a little tired when it comes to modern decor, it is clean and tidy with plenty of room between tables. This place is not about flashy interiors – it’s about fresh seafood and beautiful Italian flavours at a restaurant only steps away from the Indian Ocean.

Starters at Il Gambero comprise traditional Italian favourites like bruschetta, grilled cacciatore sausage with marinated olives and antipasto. Entrees are where seafood is introduced to the menu with gamberi della casa (prawns with garlic and olive oil served with rice), grilled calamari and avocado with crab and cocktail dressing. There’s a good range of pastas like the penne salsiccia and the gnocchi alla bava with blue cheese, cream and roasted pistachio nuts. Of course the shining star on the menu must be the seafood section, with the mixed seafood plate being the chef’s signature dish. Lightly herbed and grilled fish and squid prepare your tastebuds for the stars of the platter – the king prawns. No wonder they named this place after the tasty little crustaceans! Those not into seafood have not been forgotten with a small selection of Italian-style chicken and red meat dishes like parmigiana, rib eye steak and veal ripeno (veal stuffed with prosciutto, cheese and mushrooms). Even though Il Gambero may not boast street frontage, it’s certainly worth sacrificing views for their mouth watering prawns.

Karen Bilsby