Migration
La Cantinetta in Wiesbaden is Italian worth the price
Stars and Stripes
June 11, 2020
A pasta trio at La Cantinetta in Wiesbaden, Germany, included cappellacci filled with dry-aged beef and green asparagus, in parmesan sauce and roasted bacon; triangoli filled with asparagus and buttata, in a pistachio pesto with zucchini and roasted almonds; and gnocchi giante filled with truffles in truffle cream sauce. ()
A pasta trio at La Cantinetta in Wiesbaden, Germany, included cappellacci filled with dry-aged beef and green asparagus, in parmesan sauce and roasted bacon; triangoli filled with asparagus and buttata, in a pistachio pesto with zucchini and roasted almonds; and gnocchi giante filled with truffles in truffle cream sauce. ()
A head-on prawn, calamari, branzino, salmon and a roasted pike perch filet, served with rice and roasted vegetables at La Cantinetta in Wiesbaden, Germany. ()
On the plate is a small creme brulee, tiramisu, panna cotta, zabaione, mixed fruit and cream at La Cantinetta in Wiesbaden, Germany. ()
The seating for the La Cantinetta in Wiesbaden, Germany. Customers are seated outside the restaurant due to coronavirus restrictions. ()
If you’re looking for good Italian food in a pleasant atmosphere, La Cantinetta is worth checking out.
Located in the heart of the Wiesbaden shopping district, about five miles from the Army’s Hainerberg area, La Cantinetta is an upscale establishment offering a variety of Italian dishes, including homemade pastas, and an array of proteins like rabbit, veal and several types of seafood.
The drink menu is also extensive, including more than 20 wines from all over Italy. The beer selections are mostly German but there are a few Italian ones to choose from as well. The restaurant has a full bar, so mixed drinks or cocktails are available.
Because of the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the German state of Hessen, seating was outside-only when I went there for lunch with a friend in early June.
I ordered the mixed pasta plate, which consisted of gnocchi gigante, or giant gnocchi, filled with truffles and served with a truffle cream sauce; triangoli — triangular stuffed pasta — filled with asparagus and burrata cheese, in a pistachio pesto with zucchini and roasted almonds; and large, ravioli-like cappellacci, filled with dry aged beef and green asparagus. Those were drizzled with a parmesan sauce and sprinkled with roasted bacon.
All the pasta was homemade.
Apologies if you are now yearning for an Italian meal and have only your average box of dry pasta and a jar of tomato sauce in the kitchen.
My companion ordered the fish plate — a head-on prawn; calamari; branzino, or European sea bass; salmon; and pike perch filet roasted with the skin on. That came with rice and roasted vegetables.
For dessert we ordered the Dolce Misto, which is a mixed plate of desserts. On the plate was a small creme brulee, tiramisu, panna cotta, zabaglione, and mixed fruit and cream.
The food at La Cantinetta is a little pricey — our meals and wine came to 80 euros — but it was well-prepared and presented by servers who are very attentive without being annoying. The meals were also very tasty, although my companion and I both felt that it could use a little more seasoning.
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Hours: Open daily from noon to 11 p.m.
Prices: Starters were 8 to 14 euros, main courses were 15 to 40 euros, and desserts were around 7 euros. They accept credit cards.
Menu: German with English description under each item.
More information and to reserve: la-cantinetta.com. The website is in German, English and Russian.