In the brief time I’ve been in Kaiserslautern, I’ve found only a handful of restaurants here worth eating at, much less worth writing about. That always presents a dilemma: When I discover a good restaurant, do I let everybody know and find that all of the tables are taken the next time I visit, or do keep my big mouth shut?

With the exception of a few fast-food joints on base, Rossini is one of only two restaurants in Kaiserslautern that I’ve eaten at more than once. Both times it was great. The food was amazing, the staff genuinely sought to give the best service possible and the setting was elegant but casual. It is everything a restaurant should be and more.

I first went to Rossini this past summer with my wife and infant son and ate on the outside patio. I had the pork scaloppine. I can’t remember what my wife had; my food was too good to bother paying attention. The scaloppine was an ample size, perfectly cooked and covered with a rich, full-bodied red sauce sprinkled with bubbly mozzarella cheese. It was accompanied by a small side of spaghetti Bolognese, fresh bread and a green salad with a creamy vinaigrette house dressing.

The food was so good that I was curious to see if the quality was consistent or a fluke. So I ordered the same thing again this month. I wasn’t disappointed. Same portion size, same delicious cutlet with the same amazing sauce. My wife, who has an eye for picking the best thing on a menu, ordered the grilled pork cutlet with a side of herbed pasta. I honestly can’t say which one was better; she gave me only one taste of her entree and kept the rest to herself.

Despite the high quality of the food and ample portion sizes, the bill was 30 euros ($37.23) for two people. Most dishes average about 9 euros. The fare is Italian with a few German mainstays. Specials are offered daily.

One cool thing about Rossini is the way it is laid out in a historical building. The first floor and the basement with vaulted ceilings set the stage for any romantic date, but the seating outside, which is open during warm weather, makes you feel like you are eating at a summer barbecue with a host who really knows how to cook. If you have an infant child, you will be warmly welcomed, and eating on the patio is definitely the way to go.

morris.william@stripes.com Twitter: willatstripes

Location: Steinstrasse 45, Kaiserslautern, Germany 67657

Hours: 11 a.m-2 p.m., 5:30-11 p.m. daily except Tuesdays, when it’s closed.

Prices: Entrees average 9 euros ($11.20)

Menu: Some items are in English; English-speaking staff can help with the names of other dishes.

Phone: (+49) (0) 0631-65992

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