Tartufo Cucina Italiana: A delicious, Italian culinary journey in Psirri

In the most unexpected corner of Psirri – between Agia Thekla and Pittaki streets – during the holidays a new must, a bright spot came, to offer Italian gastronomy in a fine, restaurant wrapping.

As soon as you enter you feel the aura of a stylish intimacy embracing you. The first striking element is the curved domed ceiling in golden yellow colours that highlight the high-ceilinged entrance hall and continues above the bar to the right. It exudes the charm of old architecture in this art deco building, which functions as a boutique hotel.

The two dynamic elements of the decor and the welcoming atmosphere have been combined with a menu that is elevating, and has the signature of the incomparable Pino Saccheri and Alexandro Lazouli; creating a delicious patchwork from brunch suggestions to elaborate sweets and particularly indulgent main courses. You can witness everything masterfully prepared in front of your, in the open kitchen with the oval oven, with absolute clarity.

Given the elevated approach of the kitchen, here you can eat pizza like you have never had before, made with a dough that matures stoically for over 24 hours; a boisterous carbonara with asparagus, in which you will robustly and elegantly enjoy the taste of pecorino and egg in its cream combined with tender guanciale; arancini at their best, with mozzarella, veal ragout and spicy sauce, crispy on the outside and velvety on the inside.

The menu continues with meat in pleasant combinations: The rich buttery flesh of a pork cutlet takes another sensation with its cereal batter and pea puree side; also beautifully seared the rib-eye, served with truffle oil and baby parmesan potatoes. And they pair perfectly with its wine list, which hosts more than 50 Greek and Italian wines – on the lower floor the arrays of bottles on the wall with the white pebbles brings to mind the tasting rooms of great wineries.

The sweets are like a fine lace: a video with Pino preparing an a la minute airy millefeuille with pistachio cream has gone viral on Instagram – it is delicious – but you can also find tiramisu with mascarpone cream, an enchanting tartufo alla nocciola – which it’s a chocolate sphere with chocolate mousse – but also very nice profiteroles, like you’d find in the best patisseries in Rome.

The most famous cuisine in the world in a new rendition in downtown Athens: At Tartufo you will snack on some of its most characteristic specialties, with all the virtues of a casual outing that leaves no one indifferent.