Let’s start at the beginning. Cinema Paradiso – is it a cinema, is it related to the Paradiso or is it a club?
Well.. let me tell you, it is a little bit a cinema, but it’s definitely not from Paradiso! Everything you expect from an Italian restaurant you can find at Cinema Paradiso.
Location: in the middle of the Jordaan, at the Westerstraat. The perfect spot to grab some drinks after dinner until the early morning, that sounds like good start!
Full of expectation, we walked inside and down a long hallway to end up in the restaurant and were greeted with a warm welcome from one of the authentic classic Italian films that are playing in the background. Besides ‘The Godfather’ was there also the host who welcomed us and lead us to our table.
Hospitable as the Italians are, a glass of prosecco was immediately ready on our table and in no-time delicious bruschetta appeared next to it. This was followed by a full plate of antipasti, tortellini filled with crab, a perfect piece of tenderloin steak in red wine sauce for dessert a soufflé that was so tasty that you wanted it to last forever. And of course next to these amazing dishes we had perfect wines and the best scroppino we’ve ever had. To make a long story short, the food is spot on! And the Italians wouldn’t be Italians if all their food wasn’t made with grandma’s recipes where you only wanted more and more.
If we weren’t so full and Nino hadn’t had to go home, we still would be sitting there en
joying all the delicious food and cosiness. A big thumbs up for Cinema Paradiso, an Italian restaurant that must be on top of your list of favorites.
