Al Contadino Sotto Le Stelle

The original corner entrance of this Italian eatery has been closed off—one must now enter through the side building—in order to accommodate the growing number of hungry Mitte denizens who have made this place their second home.

And with good reason: Al Contadino shells out robust, hearty Italian home-cooking that quickly bastardizes all other restaurants in the area. One gets the feeling that Al Contadino’s chefs shriek in horror at pasta-in-a-can meals: hand-made ravioli come as pockets of thick, almost chewy boiled dough, filled with beef and mushrooms before given a drizzle of truffle oil. A buttery gnocchi is tossed with mildly acidic tomatoes and vegetables, cutting the heaviness of the starch. Though the homemade pasta reigns supreme here, the restaurant also offers hefty meat entrees like stewed rabbit accompanied with grapes and bacon, and simple salads as antipasti.

Though the restaurant is family friendly, the prices aren’t—expect to shell out 30-40 Euros per person, more if lubricating meals with a bottle from their stellar wine list.