Trattoria S’Aposentu, Düsseldorf, Germany

Kaiserswerther Strasse 77
Tel. +49-(0)211-5136579

Here comes another addition to my list of Italian restaurants in Düsseldorf: S’Aposentu, located just 1.5 km north of the Old Town and 500m from the river Rhine. The name reads “Living Room” in Sardinian, and the choice of language already points you into the culinary direction of the menu. In addition to well-known basics such as an excellent pasta e fagioli with salsiccie (a stew-like soup with white beans, pasta and bits of sausage), the chef offers Sardinian experiences such as pasta with Sardinian bottarga (dried fish roe). The regular menu already features an interesting variety of starters (the obligatory antipasti misti, carpaccio with truffle oil, swordfish carpaccio amongst others), a nice selection of pasta (eg. gnocchi with salsiccia sausage, or _wonderful_ ravioli in butter and sage, stuffed with figs and parma ham), and a number of meat, poultry and fish main courses, rounded by a more standard set of desserts (tiramisu, tartuffo icecream…). But in addition to this, S’Aposentu features a quite impressive changing daily menu on the chalk board, offering a choice of about 15 additional starters and mains.

The wine list continues the Sardinian focus, and of course the Cannonau di Sardegna is represented here by a couple of producers. In addition to a vast array of Sardinian wines, it offers drops from elsewhere in Italy.

While I am yet to sample one of their “real” main courses, the pasta and starters have already won my heart: The tastes are clear and simple, the ingredients always fresh, and the prices reasonable. The place has a relaxed, sometimes almost loungy ambiance, amplified by a ceiling about 4 metres high, and a simple, slightly rustic interior. The service is very warm and welcoming, and always there for a chat (in German or Italian).

As the year comes to an end, one thing to especially mention is their new year’s eve dinner - if the quality of the six courses is only close to that of their regular kitchen, the 48,50€ is a fantastic deal:

Goose breast carpaccio on lamb’s lettuce,

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Pasta duetto of ravioli filled with porcini mushrooms and garganelli with lotte (a fish - sorry, my culinary English seems to reach its borders),

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Lemon sorbet with prosecco,

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Lamb with a herb crust on thyme sauce or alternatively Dorade (another fish) gratinated with squash slices on pernod sauce,

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Fruit mousse tartelette,

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Sardinian midnight (lentil) soup.

As S’Aposentu has quite many seats, you should be able to get a table even without reservation. It might become a bit crowded during trade fairs, though.

Visited: August, September, October, November & NYE 2008.

Saittavini, Duesseldorf, Germany

Luegallee 79, D-40545 Düsseldorf
Tel. 0211/57797918
http://www.saittavini.de

Thought I'd add this Italian gem to the blog right away. Saittavini is one of a couple of Italian restaurants run by the Saitta family, one of Duesseldorf's oldest Italian families. Termed an "Enoteca", the place is much more than you would normally associate with the term: White tablecloth, real candle chandeliers, a quite extensive menu, and a wonderfully cheerful atmosphere.

The service is friendly, and the food tasty. Last time visited, I started with the beef carpaccio (11€), which was superb - fresh, tasty, and served with a wonderful crisp rocket salad on top. Next came my all-time-favourite, the truffle pasta (19.50€) - simple but aah so good. After that there sadly was no space for a dessert anymore, but as the dessert list here is not very exciting anyhow, it wasn't a big loss.

The wine list is extensive, an in addition you can choose any one of the 1000 wines on sales in the Enoteca and pay a 15€ surcharge for consuming it with your dinner.

Altogether, one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Duesseldorf, and maybe the one with the liveliest atmosphere. The place is located on "the other" side of the river, in the posh area of Oberkassel. It's easy to reach from the old town with the metro (get out at "Barbarossaplatz" and you are there), and they're open MON-SAT from 10am till midnight, with the Kitchen serving until 10 pm. It's usually full, so best to reserve a few days in advance.

Roberts Bistro, Düsseldorf, Germany

Wupperstr. 2, Tel. +49 (0)211-304821
http://www.robertsbistro.de/

The story tells that when his wife caught the chef in flagranti with the maid in the kitchen of their previous restaurant, it was time for him to set up his own restaurant – Robert’s Bistro. Located in the all so trendy harbour area of Düsseldorf, the place has quickly become THE place for two sorts of people: Those who absolutely adore good bistro cuisine, and Those who absolutely want to be seen in one of THE places in the harbour area (well, there might be some crossover between these groups, as well).

If you are looking for a spot of tranquility to quietly enjoy your dinner or have a confidential discussion, look further – Robert’s bistro is as noisy and crammed as you would expect from a real bistro. Never mind the somewhat unpretentious and even rough service, it only adds to the atmosphere of the eatery.

The extensive list features excellent starters like terrine of foie gras with port wine jelly (15€), pot au feu (soup) with lyon sausage and “Tafelspitz” (boiled rump) for 7.5€, and bigorneaux (mini-snails) with aioli, mayonnaise, cocktail sauce and wasabi-mayo (6.50€). The latter starter is worth the money already for the sauces, which are excellent on bread - once you ran out of snails. For all you out there who are told they don’t eat enough salad, the “Salad Landaise” (15€) is worth special mentioning: Salad with breast of duck, leg of duck and stomach of duck as well as terrine de foie gras :)

As for the main courses, the deer filet with chili-nougat sauce simply blows your mind. It’s accompanied by vegetables, dried fruits and what seems to be a coconut-potato mash, which all go very nicely with the chocolaty sauce. Another all-time favourite is the bouillabaisse type fish soup (11.50€), which seems to contain at least five different sorts of seafood. It’s served with grated parmesan and heavenly aioli.

Last time I visit Robert’s we chose a bottle of 2006 Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) from Annheuser, which was the cheapest on the list (14.5€) and went very nicely with both the fish soup as well as the pot au feu.

As you would expect from a good restaurant in the harbour area, it gets absolutely crammed after 18:30, and you will usually have to wait for a table for about 30 minutes, as they do not take reservations. Robert’s has now opened a bar next door, where waiting guests are directed to and picked up from when their table is ready. Be sure to take enough cash with you, as they don’t accept credit cards.

Visited: many times, last visit October 2007

Pizzeria Pinocchio, Düsseldorf, Germany

Altestadt 14

Route berechnen

0211/131422

They say, Pinocchio serves the best Pizza in town, and they are right. Traditional rustic interior, including white, rough-cast walls and candles on Lambrusco bottles. Gets full in the evening, so try to be there before 19:30

Visited: Many times, last visit: October 2008