27. Villa Cimbrone

All the hoohah surrounding the recent Michelin visit to New Zealand reminded me of my own brush with a star a few years back.

I do feel a bit for the restaurateurs. Prep is everything in a kitchen. Since a visit by an inspector is secret, you can’t prepare anything special.

Underprepared is underrated.

I once booked a trip to Italy purely on the basis of having watched Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in their Italian season of 'The Trip'.

I took four and a half Italian lessons and watched The Godfather trilogy. No need to overcook things.

In episode five of ‘The Trip to Italy’ they feature 'Il Flauto di Pan' the Michelin-starred restaurant at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. The villa sits high above the Amalfi Coast, where the water is so clear it’s almost a shame to go wees in it.

Back then, the closest I’d ever come to dining at a restaurant with a star was the old Star Horse Chinese buffet, which used to be on the Ponsonby strip. Alas no more.

Can’t imagine the Michelin inspectors ever called at the Star Horse, although I did once spy an expired Dunlop Aquajet calendar on the kitchen wall, partly obscuring the health certificate which I’m pretty sure must be clearly visible at all times.

I’d like to think that counted for something.