If
you haven't been to Gisella's, do yourself a favour and try it just once.
I guarantee that the food, the service and the ambiance will convince you
to become a regular!
When it comes to the food she serves her guests, Gisella is adamant.
It has to be real Italian. "Italian is what I know, and I won't
serve anything that isn't." she says. "There are lots of aspects
about business that I am still learning, but food--That I know.
I love food...and I can distinquish between a good dish and a great dish.
The food here is great.
In Italy, people really enjoy eating well.
It's an art and a passion---a big part of life" said Gisella who was
born in Italy and raised both there and in Santa Barbara.
The Gnocchi is one of the most popular items at the restaurant. Even some
of the waitresses, who are Italian
come in to watch the cooks make it so they can do the same at home.
And Now, a 3,000 pound, wood burning
Pizza oven, which was made in the old country, and shipped here is installed
in the restaurant. Twenty variations of thin crusted Pizza are offered by
Gisella.
With it's pattern of hand painted tiles around the ovens open mouth, the embers
glow brightly on chilly evenings.
~
Restaurant Review by Laurence Hauben
Gisella,
serving at the" family
table" in her restaurant.
from
left:
Brother Alexis, Father Fred Sr.,
brothers Kinka,and Fred jr.
owner of her namesake trattoria for the past eight years-lovingly brought recipes and ambiance home to Santa Barbara after 15 years living on Capri, soaking up the local cuisine and culture, and developing her skills as an internationally recognized painter. Tonight, as she does nearly every night, the tall, attractive and sometimes brooding Gisella, is over seeing both the kitchen and the dining room-addressing her cooks, waitstaff, as well as her customers in Spanish, French, Italian or English as nessesary.
Now deftly balancing an armful of plates piled with Pasta and Cioppino, she heads for the family table, where it's Guys' night out.
Alexis and Xochil in a vintage 1950's Fiat Taxi,
One of only three custom made for the island of Capri.
Left: sister Xochil, Gisella, and Mother Tamara, in the courtyard of the Villa on Capri
All rights reserved 2001
