Where to eat in Constance, Germany – Restaurant Guide, Gastronomie Tipps, KONSTANZ – Restaurant Review

Donato ✮✮✮✮✮, self described as a Delicatessen with Italian and Spanish Specialty Foods (Feinkost Italienische & spanische Spezialitäten), located in the old city at Hussenstraße 15, 78462 Konstanz. Phone: (Germany) 07531 24992

 

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This past weekend found us, in Konstanz (Constance), Germany, a delightful town located on the Bodensee Constance Lake, fed by the famous Rhine river. Wandering the old streets of the city, we came across a little Italian Delicatessen and decided to sit and have a glass of wine. Donato is conveniently located in the glorious old city on a busy pedestrian street with fabulous views of medieval buildings. Great way to pass some time! We ordered a bottle of Leone di Castris Primitivo di Manduria, a wonderful south Italian red wine from Puglia.

Outside of the locale, there are 3 tables and chairs; if the chairs are not being used, it is not unusual for someone to ask if they may join you. This makes for some interesting conversation if you are not too shy! Inside opens up to more bistro style tables and chairs, a glass deli case showcasing cheeses, meats, salads and other delectables, and shelves filled with oils, vinegars, pastas, wines, and other Italian and Spanish specialties.

Of course, you can shop and take your groceries home to cook or snack on later, but Donato also offers eat in options. In addition to daily specials, he and his Italian team prepare delectable platters filled with your desired requests; we observed people ordering a bottle of wine, nibbling away on a platter with cheeses, some chose sparkling wine to have with their various Italian sausages, olives and mozzarella, and the next table something totally different.

Our appetites grew as we sipped on our wine and we decided the special of the day, Tagliatelle mit Steinpilzen und Kalbfleisch – must be tasted! Quick translation: Flat Noodles with Porcini mushrooms and veal. A fresh house salad arrived first; local sourced crisp butterhead lettuce, topped with tomatoes, cucumber and a tangy house sauce. Sometimes, simple is so much better than complex dishes and this was most certainly the case.

Shortly after finishing our salads, the main dish arrived. Donato informed us the tagliatelle were handmade as was the porcini mushroom sauce, which I witnessed in the making! The noodles were Italian perfection – al dente, smooth, slightly salted. The mushroom sauce had a delicate flavour, not overpowering, rather adding another dimension. The meat was thin sliced, and juicy delicious!

As our table seemed to grow with more people, we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, sharing stories and eventually food as well. The lady next to us ordered a plate of prosciutto with burrata and we decided we needed to try the white truffle butter. It was amazing! The light, delicious butter had everybody reaching out for more. Instead of having a dessert, we opted for a platter of burrata with cheese stuffed spicy peppers, pepper stuffed olives and pecorino cheese bites; a firework of wonderful flavours.

Donato tried to convince us with a “small” tiramisu dessert, which we politely declined, however, we did opt for the digestif Limoncello without any regrets. I can not wait to go back to Donato!!!!

What did we try:

• San Danielle Prosciutto
• Culatello Prosciutto
• Burrata
• White Truffle Butter with Bread Sticks
• Parmesan and Pecorino Cheese
• Stuffed red peppers
• Stuffed olives
• Frutti di Mare seafood
• House salad
• Tagliatelle Noodles with Porcini sauce and Veal
• Limoncello
• Leone de Castris Primitivo di Manduria

Five Stars ✮✮✮✮✮ because:

• Family owned and operated (and they are always smiling!)
• Locally sourced food when possible, otherwise
• Imports from Italy and Spain
• Fresh prepared dishes on demand
• Great variety
• Friendly service
• Good prices
• Fabulous atmosphere
• and certainly not least, Fantastic Wine! 😉

Donato – Photos
Donato – YouTube
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