Say summer and I think of travel! Even though we haven’t gone far this summer, I’ve so enjoyed seeing people’s travel posts again after the past two years of quarantine. They are bringing back wonderful memories of sweet places in the world I hope to get back to someday- like England, Italy and France, and the Netherlands- and others that are still on my bucket list!
Last Friday I met my ‘Weekend Meanderings’ pal Juliet for a working lunch up in adorable Danville and she made us reservations at the most authentic and charming restaurant for lunch, Locanda Ravello. They describe themselves as ‘a slice of the Amalfi Coast in the heart of Danville’. Are you already enchanted? I had the caprese salad and it came with heirloom tomatoes and a heavenly burrata topped with pesto. I don’t think I have enjoyed a meal so much ever and could not stop talking about it to my husband.
Then Saturday we went to the new Eataly Silicon Valley, a three story Italian food extravaganza which was mind blowing. Coincidentally at the same time, I’ve also been enjoying the fun, ‘How to be Italian,’ book that I wrote about on last weekend’s blog.
So when Annie asked me to join this group, you could say that Italy was top of mind. My first thought was how to recreate that fabulous lunch in an appetizer size?
Caprese Bites
For my mini version, simply slice a medium or smaller size baguette diagonally, rub each with the cut side of a garlic clove, layer in a baking tray, drizzle with a fair amount of olive oil, malden sea salt, and toss with your hands to coat the slices. Lay out flat and toast in the a 400 degree oven until slightly golden on edges, but still a bit chewy, about 8 minutes. The key is to take them out while they are a bit crunchy yet with a chewiness, not crisp hard.
When cooled, top each slice with a slice of tomato, (garden or farmer’s market variations are the best tasting), a slice of fresh mozzarella, and a small dollop of pesto. I used Trader Joe’s Kale, Cashew, Basil Vegan Pesto, which was a first and it’s pretty good. You could also make your own, or in a pinch just add a fresh basil leaf. I tucked basil leaves around the dish. To recreate the look from wonderful Locando Ravello, you could add green olives and arugula.
It would be beautiful on one of those hand-painted Italian platters. Since I don’t have that, I opted for this long oval Torino Platter I love from Hudson-Grace.
I just happened to take these out when Max finished work and Griffin’s friends came by. The feedback was positive, so that made me happy! Obviously the better your tomatoes are, so will these bites be. I have been loving the darker red/green Kumato tomatoes from Trader Joes and those seemed to make the best versions of the bites. Highly recommend them!
Some things you may need..
Now please go see what delicious appetizers my friends are sharing on these blogs…
Thanks for being here!
Kim
If you still have travel on the brain, you may enjoy this post with my travel essentials..This is one of my most read posts, A Guide to Traveling Abroad with Kids and my most popular post, What to Pack for Carmel and Monterey, that I update frequently.
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We have tomatoes growing and I can’t wait until I can make caprese anything! This was so timely. You and Juliet look adorable!
Thanks Cindy. You would love that restaurant. I am waiting on my tomatoes too. I have a few babies. I bet younare going to get an amazing harvest at the new home! xx
So delicious! I want to go on vacation now!
Me too!
I know that eating spot!The owner is from ITALY and his ex-wife use to work in A VINTAGE SHOP near my shop…..
I heard she now works at the SERENA LILY OUTLET shop in BERKELEY!
WE have not been there in YEARS!I wonder WHY!
THAT EATERLY was just mentioned to me the other day!I found it hard to believe it was in San Jose.But then again you have Silicon Valley close by.And San Fran has taken a DEEP DIVE!I would also think it would do good in MARIN COUNTY.
ITALY is close to my heart as YOU know as I lived there for a few years……….remind me to tell you about DRVING SCHOOL IN ITALIAN and having to learn the parts of THE ENGINE!!HECK I didnot even know them in ENGLISH!I thought DRIVING in ITALY would be so difficult!After TWO DAYS I had the swing of it just NEVER stop at a CROSSWALK or you will be re-ended!
XXX
Elizabeth, I knew you’d have the 411 on this restaurant! Eataly is not the normal spaced out version. This is a tinier branch, but it does fit in nicely to the new outdoor area at Valley Fair. I hope people appreciate this. I do think we are getting more sophisticated here in SV as we have such a cosmopolitan group of people. It’s literally the crossroads of the world thanks to high tech.
Wow I have to hear your story about driving there. I have to admit I was too scared to drive in Italy so just took trains and boats and planes.. I do remember trying to cross a street in Rome with like 1,000 lanes on foot and they said never stop, just look at the drivers eyes and keep walking.. Hair raising! xx
Great post! I sometimes do an appetizer I call “Caprese on a stick”…similar idea using grape tomatoes (tossed with olive oil, salt & pepper) ,ciligiene (avail able at Trader Joe’s, small mozzarella balls) and fresh basil leaves alternated on a sturdy cocktail pick.
Ahhh, Italy! Have you seen any of Masterpiece Hotel Portofino on PBS? Scenery alone is reason to check it out.
Hi Sue, Caprese on a stick is such a good idea for a summer appetizer! I have to remember to do this, especially by the pool or something..
Hotel Portofino is on my list!! Maybe I’ll start tonight ! It sounds just what I need! xx
Kim! This looks so good and I’m ready for lunch NOW! I think your version is even better than the fabulous Locanda because you added bread. Everything’s better with bread! That said the restaurant is amazing and I did feel as though we’d escaped to the Amalfi coast. It was every bit as hot. My tomatoes have a ways to go but I’ll pick some up at the farmers market this weekend and make this wonderful treat. Jim’s going be thrilled! Can’t wait to visit Eataly, after your IG stories tour. Exciting it’s arrived in the Bay Area. xo
Juliet I just loved Locando! I have to get back soon. I wish I was closer.. Lol true the temperature that day was like visiting Amalfi and thank you for having us get ice creams- such a treat and much needed! You and Jim should try Italy. I’d probably wait until the crowds die down! We waited in the heat a while outside to get the pizza -and long lines for gelato. I am excited though we now have more quality ingredients close by and more ways to live like Italians! xx
Hi Kim,
This sounds so delicious, I make caprese salad often during the Summer and in fact was planning that for dinner tonight! The addiction of pesto is a great idea. I have enough basil growing to whip some up. I’m looking forward to my tomatoes coming in! I love how versatile these ingredients are and the addition of peaches or using cherries instead of tomatoes give Caprese Salad a whole new meaning!
Xo Heidi
Kim, this looks delicious! How wonderful that you and Juliet are able to meet, one of these days I hope to be there too. Such a great restaurant.
Have a wonderful week!