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Ristorante Martinelli "One only drinks wine on days ending in 'G'. And on Wednesdays." This was the first saying I heard when I entered the wonderful restaurant in the hidden part of Bogenhausen. There are many Italian restaurants – but certainly none like Ristorante Martinelli. I know this because I was there and now – as is truly rare – I find myself in a bind. How can I convince you to go there instead of just reading about it and calling it a day? Because Ristorante Martinelli is a very special restaurant. That's why today's review will be "a bit more extensive" (sorry about that!), and this time I'll start right away with my conclusion:
Go there, absolutely! Don't just think, "Yeah, I'll remember that. I'll drop by sometime." Grab your loved ones, friends, or colleagues and go. If you've ever wanted to eat in a restaurant that tastes like Tantris (but costs less), where you're treated like a friend, and where the atmosphere is incredibly cozy and welcoming, then this is the place for you. Top wines, top food, top service—everything is top-notch. I was there recently with a companion, and I've rarely left a restaurant feeling as uplifted—despite a six-course meal—as I did at Ristorante Martinelli. Why the euphoria? Because everything is just perfect, and I was simply overwhelmed by the warmth, culinary expertise, and explosions of flavor.
Elena Martinelli, with her charm, friendliness, and comprehensive knowledge of wine, food, and drink, creates a wonderful atmosphere in the restaurant. Without this warmth and hospitality, Martinelli would, in my opinion, only be half as good. Her husband, Gianluca Marotta, is responsible for the most important things – brilliant food, full stomachs, and excellent creations. I got to know them both better during a personal conversation at their table and learned quite a bit about the Martinellis' philosophy, convictions, and motivation for their restaurant. I heard about the passion behind it all, their daily anticipation of welcoming guests, and the daily selection of the finest ingredients, the creation of the menu, and their sheer joy in cooking. In Elena Martinelli's eyes, Gianluca is "the best chef in the world." A personal connection certainly plays a part in this statement ;-), but after my six courses, I can only say: thumbs up for this cuisine.
We arrived, were greeted personally, and shown directly to our table. We were given a cozy corner table for two with a good view of the entire restaurant. There are approximately 15 tables in total, accommodating around 55-65 people, depending on the table arrangement. I felt incredibly comfortable as soon as I sat down. The restaurant is chic – no doubt about it – but not pretentious or stuffy. Quite the opposite, in fact. As mentioned above, there's a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, enhanced by the inviting decor: upholstered leather banquettes and chairs, white tablecloths, lit candles on the pre-set tables, decorative wine bottles on the ledges of the suspended ceiling with spotlights, dark parquet floors, a small bar in the entrance area, bright windows, and a collection of wines, gin, and rum displayed in the middle of the dining area. In short: cozy, chic, relaxed, and inviting.
We were presented with the menu immediately after taking our seats. How do I begin without causing confusion… well… Ristorante Martinelli doesn't have pizzas. Nor does it offer 20 different pasta dishes, panna cotta, tiramisu, tagliatelle Emiliana, or similar classics. Don't panic. It's not a problem. No, the restaurant has exactly two pages of menu, which is perfectly sufficient. I ate six (yes, six!) excellent courses. One side of the menu offers a set menu for those of you who don't like to jump in at the deep end and prefer the surprise menu on the other side. Simply put: you decide what and how you eat. Should the chef prepare something exquisite for you, or would you prefer a set menu? The Martinellis themselves describe it like this: "Free yourself from every decision. Just let us know how many courses you would like and if there's anything you'd prefer we don't serve… and we'll get started!" The surprise menu offers four, five, or six courses for €52, €62, or €72. The tasting menus are €75, €90, and €105. In other words, a six-course menu with wine at Martinelli costs €105. The moment you take your first bite, you'll understand my enthusiasm, the price, and the comparison to Tantris. Phenomenal. Simply phenomenal. Each course is not only visually stunning, but your eyes and palate are also treated to a feast for the senses. If you think, "One dish is enough for me," no problem. As mentioned, there's a menu with main courses ranging from €13 to €27. Quality over quantity, light Italian cuisine with seasonal dishes instead of overloaded pizza. The menu is well-balanced and always offers something to suit every palate: braised, roasted, custom-made, whether fish, meat, risotto, or other specialties – anything is possible.
Now I'm just going to write down everything I ate, but be warned: you'll be hungry afterward. (I promised to always give you a heads-up because so many of you are always hungry after my reports ;-)): Course one was minestrone. Doesn't sound exciting at first, but it was. Very flavorful and ideal as a starter. A truly delicious soup with spring onions, carrots, celery, and much more. Served with a small spoon in a soup bowl, accompanied by fresh bread. Since I don't want to write "Wow, that was delicious!" for every course, here's my menu. Everything tasted—without exception—like heaven. 🙂 Gang I: Marinated fjord trout with persimmon and coconut (15€), Gang II: Meat option: Foie gras crème brûlée with baked porcini mushrooms and green apple and basil jelly | Fish option: Raw marinated tuna with mushrooms and the same jelly (each €16) , Gang III: Pumpkin ravioli made from three types of pumpkin (butter, Hokkaido and muscat pumpkin) with amaretti, sage and scamorza cheese (€14) (Absolutely amazing!), Gang IV: Basil and lime risotto with raw tuna (19€), Aisle V: Swordfish tagliata with vegetables and tomato sauce (24€), Aisle VI: Dessert – basil sorbet with Prosecco soup (€9). Okay, fine… I admit it: I was full afterward. 😉 There was absolutely nothing to complain about, and after each course I was already looking forward to the next, even a little disappointed when my companion and I had actually finished all six courses. Thank goodness there were homemade chocolate crisps with the espresso. Mmm. Simply fantastic.
The fun was accompanied by top-notch wines, each perfectly paired with its respective course. Why? Because Elena is a trained wine expert and was able to serve us the ideal drop for every occasion. For example, we started with a superb Prosecco Rustico from Nino Franco as an aperitif. During the meal, we enjoyed a Sauvignon Blanc | Ronco Calaj | Russolo, a Manditocai Friulano | Livon, and a Gaggioli | Superiore | Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto. We also had a red wine, a Negroamaro Primitivo | Gran Trio, which we drank with the swordfish. Red wine and fish can certainly be combined – in this case, with the tomato sauce under the swordfish. You'll generally receive wine recommendations here, and I would definitely take them into consideration. At Martinelli, I was once again struck by the fact that nothing is left to chance. So, don't hesitate to ask for help with your wine selection. However, if you prefer to choose for yourself, there is of course also a wine list available.
In conclusion, I want to say: The message here is crystal clear: Come in and feel at home, like you're among friends. Everything here is perfect, and with every bite and every glance around the restaurant, you can feel that not only economic success, but also the joy and love for what they do is paramount!
Don't forget to make a reservation, especially for dinner, as Ristorante Martinelli, which opened in January 2008, has many regular customers. At lunchtime, they also offer a fantastic (set) three-course menu with a starter, pasta, and dessert for a reasonable €19. According to Elena, the lunch menu is also "really good"! 😉 I'll have to try it. The restaurant, located in Bogenhausen, is open from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and then again from 6:30 PM. Here, you won't experience being rushed to finish your glass and plate and then ushered out. Instead, the friendly waiters, or even Elena herself, will come to your table and chat with you for a bit. Of course, you'll also be left in peace if you prefer a quiet meal for two or even alone. Card payments are accepted. If you're still looking for the perfect venue for your Christmas party, let me know and I'll give you Elena's contact information and even come by. 😉 No joke, you can also book the place for private parties and celebrate your events there. And when it gets warmer again, you can also enjoy the cozy, private terrace, which seats about 65 people. I really hope you'll take my advice – as always 😉 – and come check it out.
I'll be back: Of course. There are many Italians. Only a few like him.
Place visited: Ristorante Martinelli
Address: Wilhelm-Dieß-Weg 2, 81927 Munich
Website: Ristorante Martinelli
Pictures:
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