TALLInn - In Your Pocket

32 restaurants restaurants 33
Say cheese!
St. Michael Juusturestoran (St. Michael
Cheese Restaurant) B-2, Nunne 14, tel. (+372)
627 48 45/(+372) 627 48 04, restoran@imperial.ee,
www.juusturestoran.ee. Monks and cheese
- always an unbeatable combination. The Imperial Hotel
building was once part of the St. Michael Nunnery, so
naturally waiters in monks’ garb preside over its smart,
medieval style restaurant. Choose from cheesy mains
such as tournados with Roquefort, but be warned though
that they’re on the heavy side. There’s also a cheese-free
menu for the lactose wary. QOpen 17:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat
16:00 - 24:00. (€17). TJULESW
Italian
Due, perhaps in part, to the influx of Italian men who
have seemingly migrated to Tallinn because of the rather
endless supply of long-legged blondes, the city has a
plethora eateries in this category. We're not complaining
though, both the food and the blondes are bella.
Basiilik G-3, Hobujaama 5, in Coca-Cola Plaza, tel.
(+372) 56 50 99 91, info@basiilik.ee, www.basiilik.
ee. Truly an unexpected find. Though not quite rivaling the
best Italian cuisine in town, for a restaurant that's in a giant
cinema house, Basilik is surprisingly high-quality. Soups,
pastas and other mains are served by friendly staff in a nicerthan-average
dining room. Crowds ebb and flow according
to the film schedule. QOpen 11:30 - 23:00. (€7.65). SW
Bocca B-3, Olevimägi 9, tel. (+372) 611 72 90,
bocca@bocca.ee, www.bocca.ee. A smart, slick establishment
where you'd expect to run into super-chic members
of Tallinn's A-list, or maybe a supermodel or two. Bocca
delivers formal, professional service and an inventive array
of pastas and filletos (fillets), all under the watchful eye of
award-winning chef Nicolo Tanda. The attached loungy bar
is a swank place for a post meal cognac. Make reservations
on weekends. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 24:00,
Sun 13.00 - 22:00. (€16). J6S
Complemento D-3, Viru 11, tel. (+372) 669 15 10,
pub@vanawiru.ee, www.vanawiru.ee. Once you get over
the location - in the lobby of the Baltic Vana Wiru Hotel -
you'll be surprised by the wonderful quality-to-price ratio
here. A small selection of delicious fettucine and ravioli is
complimented by a range of 'roasts', all served with hot
rolls and stiff formality. We found the food to be quite good.
One hint: make sure you're seated to the left as you come
in or you'll be given a pub menu. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
(€7). TJUL
Controvento C-3, Vene 12/Katariina käik, tel. (+372)
644 04 70, info@controvento.ee, www.controvento.
ee. Decorated in a cosy combination of medieval Estonian
and rustic Italian, this stylish eatery has been a favourite
of expats and locals for years, and deservedly so. The food
here is absolutely top notch, with excellent pastas and beef
dishes complemented by a good selection of Italian wine.
It's featured in every tourist guidebook, so be sure to make
reservations. QOpen 12:00 - 22:45. (€13). JI
Fellini C-2, Kinga 1 (Raekoja plats), tel. (+372) 631
47 75, info@fellini.ee, www.fellini.ee. Distinguished by
its location above Town Hall Square (definitely ask for a
window table!), Fellini offers pastas, meat and fish dishes
in a subdued ambience that skirts the edge of formality.
Live piano music two nights a week adds a romantic
touch. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 01:00.
(€16). TJESW
Gianni G-3, Jőe 4a, tel. (+372) 626 36 84, info@gianni.
ee, www.gianni.ee. Think candlelight, champagne buckets
and soft, swank modernity. A sophisticated, Italian restaurant
like Gianni could pass muster anywhere in the world
- this one just happens to be in Tallinn, off Narva mnt. in the
direction of the port. Our ricotta-filled ravioli was expertlyprepared.
Those looking for a less involved experience
can head to the attached Gianni Café, open 09:00 - 21:00.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (€20). 6SW
Il Gioco delle Perle di Vetro (Klaaspärlimäng) C-2,
Kullasepa 4, tel. (+372) 59 19 72 02, info@ilgioco.
ee, www.ilgioco.ee. The idea behind this 'Italian' place is
simple - to offer good, but simple cuisine for people who like
to relax and enjoy life. The atmosphere is stylish but equally
relaxed and the friendly staff are also quite happy to make
sure you feel at home. As of recently though, they seem to be
a litle more imterested in your money than in your experience.
Still not a bad spot though for a light bite or a cold beverage.
QOpen 08:00 - 23:00. Also at: H-2, Pärnu mnt. 32, 59
19 72 02. Open 08:00 - 24:00, Thu - Fri 08:00 - 01:00, Sat
10:00 - 01:00, Sun 10:00 - 24:00. (€9). JS
Kärme Küülik D-2, Harju 7, tel. (+372) 699 96 80,
info@kyylik.ee, www.kyylik.ee. Estonian for 'Speedy
Hare' the service at this 'Italian' restaurant was certainly
fairly speedy and friendly to say the least. The atmosphere
was also quite cosy and emanated a certain warmth. The
food on the other hand fell short of excellent. Our pizza was
raw and even after it had been remade came back soggy
and slightly raw. The advertised prosciutto was also nothing
more than ham and not the Parma variety. They did
apologise however and promised to improve. Overall not a
bad place, but there are so many authentic Italian eateries
in Old Town. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. (€8). JSW
La Bottega C-3, Vene 4, tel. (+372) 627 77 33,
info@labottega.ee, www.labottega.ee. Dreamt up by
the creative minds who brought you the likes of Bocca, Ö,
Chedi and a host of other stylish eateries, the Bottega is
certainly just as 'sparkling'. In fact, this restaurant is styled
just like an upscale Italian 'shop' with shelves of wine and
other delicacies stacked all the way to the very high ceiling.
The cuisine is equally fresh and the service was not disappointing.
QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 24:00, Sun
13:00 - 22:00. (€13). J6S
Below you’ll find a list of venues that specialise in
pizza, however, if you’re looking for a ‘special’ pizza
you may visit some of the Italian restaurants in town,
which usually make an even better pie.
Attimo H-6, Peterburi tee 49, tel. (+372) 605 24
70, paolo@topmodels.ee, www.attimo.ee. Despite
its far-flung location out on the Peterburi highway, this
authentic Italian restaurant has become known for its
fantastic pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired oven. They
also have a wide selection of other Italian favorites
including to die for fresh pastas. Convenient to the Hotel
Susi. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 22:00.
(€4.80). TUS
Peetri Pizza B-4, Mere pst. 6, tel. (+372) 661 61
81, pizzameistrid@hot.ee, www.peetripizza.ee. A
local favourite, Peetri offers pizzas that we find - well,
passable. Apart from this fairly simple café, it has various
branches and stands all over town just in case you need
that cheesy fix. QOpen 11:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 -
22:00. (€5). JS
Pizza Americana D-2, Müürivahe 2, tel. (+372)
644 88 37, merje@americana.ee, www.americana.
ee. Try any of the 60 varieties of thick tasty pizza at this
little corner pizzeria and you’ll be immobilised for days.
Possibly the longest running pizzeria in Tallinn, they do
make a pretty decent ‘pie’. But if you order your pizza by
phone, you might have to put up a fight to eat it onsite.
Lunch specials for €5.45 and €8.65. Delivery €4.50.
QOpen 11:30 - 22:30. TJLVS
Pizza Grande C/D-2/3, Väike-Karja 6, tel. (+372)
641 87 18, info@pizzagrande.ee, www.pizzagrande.
ee. Grande’s signboard proudly displays the flag of that
great pizza-making nation - Norway. Huh? Anyhow, the
pizza in this cellar café is fairly tasty, and comes in three
sizes. Be warned though that the large is more like an
extra-large. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (€6.40). JS
Tiina Pizza H-3, Liivalaia 27, tel. (+372) 646 75
05, tiinapizza@hot.ee, www.tiinapizza.ee. Although
this little place is a bit far from the centre, we think the
pizza is worth the hike. The dining area is comfortable
and even has an aquarium. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Sat,
Sun 12:00 - 23:00. Also at: Mustamäe tee 39, tel.
672 72 12. Open 10:00 - 05:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 05:00.
(€6). VSW
Tallinn In Your Pocket tallinn.inyourpocket.com tallinn.inyourpocket.com
October - November 2012
Pizza