‘Kira, I’m in Amsterdam in an hour. Can you get us a table at the best Italian restaurant?’ With this phone call, my brother elicited a search for Italian home-cooking outside our own kitchen. Were my Italian tasting experiences mind blowing? No. Can Italian food be mind blowing? No!! Authentic Italian food is uncomplicated, easy-going and consists of no more than three distinct and pure flavors.

Surprisingly enough, my first choice Ristorante Toscanini had still a table available (it was a Tuesday evening). Normally, you do have to reserve in advance for this popular restaurant, which is regarded as one of the best Italian places in town. Toscanini’s simplicity and unpretentiousness is what makes this place so popular. Friendly waiters, pleasant homey decor and as a result: happy guests. So if you are curious what ‘real authentic’ Italian food is like, visit Toscanini for a 4-course Italian dinner. Toscanini, Lindengracht 75, Jordaan. T (020) 623 28 13. Closed on Sundays.

Sa Seada looks, and actually is, a family place. The portions are more tailored for full-blooded tall Dutch people than based on Italian servings. The Mixed Starters is sufficient as a main course. Thankfully, the quantity does not go under for the quality of the servings. A few years ago, the restaurant was not impressive, but now I want to return for that fresh fish (which you can pick in the fish tank). 1e Oosterparkstraat 3, Oost. T (020) 663 32 76. Closed on Mondays.

Scalla della Pasta always has a 5-10 minute queue, but their sandwiches, saffron risotto, salads and ice cream are worth the wait. Yesterday, I bought a medium-sized cup with gamba’s in oil and herbs. At home, I cooked orrechiette pasta (small ear-shaped noodles), mixed it with the gamba’s and added olive oil. You don’t need to be a good Italian chef to serve great food: just get the best of ingredients, keep the dish simple and serve it with love! Valeriusstraat 90, Oud-Zuid. T. (020) 664 75 58. Open daily. Limited space to enjoy your lunch.

Mercato Italiano Feduzzi’s is a large Italian delicacy store with much more choice than the above. They also have Chinotto, which is a not-very-sweet cola made from the chinotto, a citrus fruit used as an ingredient in Italian bitters. Scheldestraat 63, Rivierenbuurt. T. (020) 664 63 65 Open daily. Limited space to enjoy your lunch.

For pizza’s I recommend Le 4 Stagioni (also serves good pasta’s) and Tratoria Yam Yam (has a proper wood/pizza oven). For a quick bite go to Gustavino which has a charcoal grill and wood oven.

Le4Stagioni: J. Verhulststraat 32, Oud-Zuid. Open Daily. T.(020) 662 00 71
Tratoria Yam Yam: F. Hendrikstraat 90, Oud-West. T.(020) 681 50 97
Gustavino: G. Mahlerplein 16, WTC. Open Weekdays. T.(0)20 6615062

Upscale Italian dining is done at Roberto’s (Hilton hotel). From the food, service and ambiance to the presentation, wine and price... it’s all more exclusive. Still, it remains a hotel restaurant, which is less ‘gezellig’. Do visit the place on a Friday Fish Market (every Friday they have a special fish menu which is fantastico). Roberto's, Apollolaan 138, Oud-Zuid. T. (020) 710 60 25. Open Daily.


Not so Italian...
Segugio - a complete rip off and unkind owner.
Casa di David - my Italian friends are not impressed, so I never ended up there. My non-Italian friends are very upset with me writing this; they like it.

Of course there are many other Italian places, yet the above named restaurants fall into the category authentic Italian food, which I cannot say about most restaurants labeled la cucina Italiana.