Review: Capri's Island Gypsy is full of fairy-tale surprise

The next chapter in our food adventure takes us to the Isles of Capri and a magical spot known as The Island Gypsy.

Let’s start with the portion sizes. Much like Goldilocks, the appetizer was a bit too small; the dessert was way too much (but is that a bad thing?) and the main course was just right.     

My dining companion selected the fried calamari to start. Served with marinara sauce, per usual, the small basket was just average – nothing special, but not bad at all.   

For his entrée, my friend got the Trinidad Tuna. It’s cilantro lemongrass encrusted tuna served with “island rice” and asparagus, finished with a sweet chili ponzu sauce. A bit pricey at $29, but well worth it.

On the chef’s recommendation – per the waiter – it was ordered medium rare. The dish gets high marks for presentation. My friend described it as exotic, well-balanced and flavorful, “sweet and savory in perfect balance.”

Only one minor issue with the dish, a couple of the asparagus had a soapy taste.

I had the Fandango Mango Chicken Salad.  The dish features grilled chicken breast topped with a curry aioli served on a bed of mixed baby greens tossed in a key lime honey vinaigrette served with fresh mango slices, hearts of palm, candied walnuts and sprouts – and at a much friendlier $15 price tag.

The attention to detail is stunning. The drizzled curry was the perfect amount; as was the vinaigrette; and I’m here to tell you, any more or any less would have just not been the same … see: Goldilocks.

We arrived at twilight and watched the sun go down from our table. The outdoor dining area is filled with polite conversation and big screen TVs. While it is a comfortable (especially with evening temps dipping to the 70s), with its island vacation feel; it never hints at the overall high quality of the food.

We were planning on skipping dessert; but our waiter recommended the house specialty – carrot cake. So unexpected! So rich! So moist! So amazing!

A word of warning, if there’s two or three or you; one slice is still enough – it’s the size of two large slices. Now I know why the portions were on the small side; you need the room for dessert. So don’t pass it up.

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If you go

Island Gypsy Café and Marina Bar

292 Capri Blvd., Naples

239-394-1111

theislandgypsy.com