Meat-free Italian cooking? Naturalmente! A bowl of pumpkin or cinnamon and cardamom purée alongside a selection of organic cheeses? Or maybe a vegan apple strudel that could compete with anything home-baked across the border? Since last year, Italian couple Barbara and Alessandro have been serving vegetarian and vegan dishes from their little-Italy of Neontoaster in Wedding; dishes that can also be enjoyed at home due to their delivery service. Simpler but fantastically sourced items such as calabrian pecorino, a hard cheese from Friuli in the north of Italy, potato pancakes and a homemade tiramisu complement new and more creative additions to the menu; pumpkin tagliatelle, celery parmigiana and smoked cheese from Maccagno with polenta and broccoli cream. In the corner of the light-flooded space is an old analog TV, a purely decorative addition but one which contributes to the slowed-down atmosphere of the place, just like the homemade lavender, sage and rose tea which is served in a retro porcelain and china teapot. If you’re not into tea, you should try their impressive selection of natural wines; and if you drink so much that you don’t want to leave, then you can even stay the night in their guesthouse, and wake up to the alternating vegetarian or vegan Sunday brunch. One thing is for sure: with Alessandro’s cooking skills, nobody is left wanting, and even staunch meat-eaters will be desperate to come back for more. (Text: Eva Biringer / Photo: Daniel Farò)
Neontoaster, Seestr.106, 13353 Berlin-Wedding; map
Wed-Fri 15-23h, Sat-Sun 11–23h
