During our last Munich trip my son Sab (who lives in L.A.) surprised me with a restaurant recommendation: a more than 100 years old Italian! And as much as I love my son – I confess that I was a bit skeptical: I expected a tourists trap with lousy food. And – honestly: am I not the restaurant expert in the family??? – FOOL! FOOL!

How wrong I was! The OSTERIA ITALIANA is a listed MONUMENT from 1890 ! Such breathtaking arts that the visit alone is a sensation … –

Then the (all male) waiters: if ever you have experienced the ULTIMA ELEGANZA E GRANDEZZA of the waiters in Caffè Florian on Piazza San Marco in summer when the orchestra is playing … – then you might have an idea about the service at OSTERIA ITALIANA. All waiters (try to) look like RAF VALLONE, the sexiest man alive in Italy 50s, 60s and 70s.

Our Raf Vallone recommended a superbe red from the fantastic wine list – so my son & I already were on cloud nine. Food? Who needs food, when you’re already in Italian Heaven! –

Now take a deep breath! – We both started with AGLIO OLIO: with an open mouth between the individual bites. Such a mind blowing Aglio Olio, we both agreed, we never had before! And please be assured, the wonderful wine did not confuse our senses. –

Then the main course: Saltimbocca. Eaten a hundred times. Often two big pieces of chewy Veal Schnitzel, dry Parma Ham & dried Sage. But not this time: a fan of many small ad thinly sliced pieces of Veal, Ham & fresh Sage… they lived up to their name: „SALTIMBOCCA” = „JUMP IN THE MOUTH”.

So two days after that sensational dinner – and totally sober: I still rate the OSTERIA ITALIANA as MY BEST ITALIAN EVER! Sorry to my beloved other Italian Favorites, but The OSTERIA ITALIANA got THE CROWN.