Vecchia-Lanterna

“Enchanting gastronomy” is the motto of this most recent addition to “Lehel’s Italian Block” that offers Italian restaurants in all shapes and sizes. And while it “comes at an upmarket price tag, worthy of special-occasion-only dinners” enchantment is delivered at Vecchia-Lanterna, which in early 2014 ventured from far away Germering into the city, in spite of being “housed right next to a very 80s hotel that clouds the atmosphere a little”. The “carefully sourced ingredients” come “prepared to near perfection” in a manner that “demonstrates the exceptional skill of Calabrian owner-chef Antonio Denami”. The care put into the cooking, of regularly changing dishes pays off most when gorgeously plated seafood “melts into a light garlicky dream inside your mouth”, or “simple truffle pasta” is “surrounded with a delicious buttery foam” transporting subtle truffle aromas. Service, run by “competent and bubbly” owner-hostess Mirka Otta, is currently very good and “knowledgeable about the great Italian wine list”, but since Vecchia-Lanterna has yet to gain recognition with Munich diners, the waiters still “need to prove their worth under busier circumstances”, which diners agree: “the restaurant utterly deserves”.

St. Anna Str. 31, 80538 Munich

Ratings (out of 20)

Food: 16
Decor: 11
Service: 15