Thursday, May 14, 2009

Trattorias and Osterias of Tallinn

So this was Saturday and for reasons I am not willing to disclose here, I was not feeling as a productive member of society.
Decision was made to drink wine all day long. Since it seems that trattorias, osterias and so on and ons are popping up on every other corner, I decided not to commit to a single bottle or a single location for that matter. I'm not sure why this is about to play out like a video game, but here it is.

Level 1. Still feeling quite fragile. Walk through the door of Osteria di Bacco located at Väike-Karja 8. I was told it used to be a shoe store. No great loss. New place that looks little too new. Orange. Had a glass of Barolo for 200EEK's a pop. It was good. It better be. Still feeling little fragile. So no food. I did notice that not only had they good looking pancetta, but were also offering guanciale. You don't see that every day over here. Plus provolone. Life's good. Had another glass.

Level 2. Feeling better. Next stop - Hosteria Roma at Mündi 3, I think. Absolutely love this place. Maybe it was the fact that there was a birthday celebration taking place, maybe it was the waitress who had just started couple a weeks ago and was still little unsure what she was doing, but in a really warm and friendly way, or maybe it was a bottle of Pinot Nero that hit the spot. Maybe because it's orange. After a glass I was feeling truly better so I got food. A plate of meats, cheeses and some pickled artichokes and peppers. Everything tasty. Now another table filled with a different group of people, also celebrating someone's birthday. People singing, dancing and playing guitar. It was all good. Maybe not the kid playing the guitar, but it did not matter. All good. Go now.

Level 3. Still had not had quite enough and headed for Osteria del Dallo Nero at Rataskaevu 4. I have always liked this place. Liked it here. Some people from Tigu were sitting at the table next to me. It seemed like they had started about the same time I did. Good for them. Back to the place. It is orange. It is cozy, but they all are. Somehow the service at the previous place just trumped the other two. No real complaints, the wine was good, espresso good, company good, but I have to admit that Hosteria Roma is my new favorite.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ORANGE?