[Advertisement]

Cozy, feel-good atmosphere in the saloon

SALO RISTORANTE AND PIZZERIA | Maxvorstadt – What about you? – Do you often go out for pizza and frequently to Italian restaurants? Actually, those are two different questions, because it's rare to find good Italian restaurants in the city that can compete with Italian cuisine in terms of taste and quality, but also offer authentic pizza. 'Authentic' in this case means nice and thin, generously topped, and with a crispy crust – just like a real Italian would make it. However, during my recent visit to Salo ("Salo Ristorante and Pizzeria") on Schraudolphstrasse, I was delighted to discover just such a restaurant: They offer pizzas that you'd expect to find in Italy, but also numerous other "honest Italian dishes.".

Changing weekly menus provide additional variety.

Salo Ristorante and Pizzeria in the Maxvorstadt district

If the name "Salo" rings a bell when you think of Munich, you're absolutely right. This restaurant, located in Munich's Maxvorstadt district, has been operating under that name for almost 20 years. Since February 2017, it has been run by a new owner, Ali Dogan, along with his son and team; the focus on Italian cuisine remains. The menu primarily features pizzas, offering a wide variety of options from classic to more unusual. Italian meat and fish dishes, as well as antipasti, various appetizers, pasta dishes, and desserts are also available. For added variety, the weekly specials menu features additional highlights and individually adapted dishes.

The starters of the evening: Our selection from the aperitif menu

A closer look at the menu

Flipping through the menu, you'll find the weekly specials at the top. Currently featured are various antipasti offerings starting at €5.90, main courses from €13.50 (two pizzas, one fish, one meat), and a dessert (in this case, "Ricotta and plum dumplings with vanilla sauce" for €6.90). Then it's on to the regular menu, which includes soups (e.g., minestrone – Italian vegetable soup for €5.60), antipasti (from €6.40 for, say, three pieces of classic bruschetta or eggplant casserole with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan for €11.90), and salads (from €5.90). From mixed salad, salad with salmon or avocado, to salad with breaded goat cheese or turkey strips, to "Insalata Cesare" with homemade croutons and dressing, there should be something for every salad fan.

So, the meal started with Parma ham and carpaccio on the plate…

Pasta, risotto, fish, and meat share a double-page spread on the menu. The selection is quite classic, and alongside dishes like "Spaghetti Aglio e Olio," "Penne Arrabbiata," and "Ravioli," there's also "Tagliolini with Truffle" (my choice), "Tagliatelle with Beef Ragout," and risotto in two variations – "Funghi" and "Frutti di Mare" (all between €7.90 and €17.90). Fish lovers can order fresh salmon in lemon sauce (€16.90), grilled baby calamari or scampi (€17.90 and €21.90 respectively), or a delicious whole sea bass (€19.90) at Salo Ristorante and Pizzeria. The mixed fish platter with salsa verde (€23.90) also caught my eye. Meat lovers will be delighted at Salo with dishes like grilled lamb chops, veal fillet medallions in a lemon and white wine sauce, or 220 grams of grilled Argentinian beef fillet (meat dishes from €17.90). Side dishes include salad, rosemary potatoes, spinach, or vegetables.

The rosé wine of the evening

Last but not least, the next double page of the menu, preceding the desserts, offers a huge selection of pizzas. Customers can choose between classic yeast dough, whole wheat dough (for an extra €1), or spelt dough (for an extra €2). The pizzas themselves start with classic options like Pizza Pane (pizza bread) for €4.90 and Pizza Margherita (for €7.50). The prices then rise to double digits, at €10.50, for Pizza Caprese or Pizza Salame Piccante (for €11.90). A quick glance at the 25 or so different pizzas reveals a predominantly classic selection, with pizzas like Pizza Bufala and Parma (for €13.90) or Tartufo (for €16.50) being among the more unusual choices. For between 1 Euro and 4 Euro, one (or more) extra toppings can be ordered for the pizza.

The desserts are also "typically Italian," and you can order profiteroles, tiramisu, crème brûlée, chocolate soufflé, or a small cheese selection (from €4.90). For those who like to indulge in a particularly sweet ending to their meal, there's the "Dolce Misto," a mixed dessert platter (€13.90). It's also nice that they offer a variety of aperitifs (including my current favorite, a "Rosato Mio" or Rosato Spritz). So, just stopping by for an after-work drink and some antipasti is also an option. A small selection of long drinks and cocktails is also available (from 7:30 am).

The seafood pizza

Selection and evaluation of the dishes

You can't get full just by looking, so it's time to order. There were two of us, and to start the evening, we opted for a "Rosato Mio" (€5.80) and a "Crodino Spritz" (€6.20). Then we moved on to the appetizers. If a menu features good Parma ham and cheese, I simply have to order. That was the case here, and the "Prosciutto Crudo E Pecorino Romana" (Parma ham DOP and Pecorino Romana cheese | €11.50) landed in the middle of our table at the same time as the "Carpaccio Di Manzo" (beef fillet carpaccio with arugula and shaved Parmesan DOP | €11.90). Both appetizers were impressive in appearance, presentation, and taste, and even though the carpaccio was quite heavy on the garlic, the two light starters were a delightful choice that further enhanced the "Italian feeling." Then things got heated, and after some back and forth and "what should we order?" we opted for pizza and pasta instead of fish and meat. Why? – Sure, meat and fish dishes might be better indicators of a restaurant's culinary skill, but having devoured countless pizzas and pasta dishes in the heart of Italy, and often putting down my cutlery in sheer delight, I simply wanted to know: Does it really taste like it does in Italy? So, after a short break, both the "Frutti Di Mare" pizza with seafood (for €11.50) and the "Tagliolini with Truffle" (for €17.90) landed in front of us.

Delicious! Tagliolini with truffles

Regarding pasta, I have to say: top-notch! 10 points, and definitely a dish or restaurant that I'll recommend to anyone asking where to find good (truffle) pasta in Munich. The pizza was very well topped (…my companion even thought it was "too well"…). This was mainly because the dough is indeed exceptionally thin – just like in Italy. There's absolutely nothing to criticize about the quality of the dough. You can taste that high-quality flour from Italy ("Fior di Latte and Semola") is used, and they've clearly put thought into the variety and selection. They don't offer gluten-free pizza, but they do have spelt and whole wheat options. They're also flexible with special requests and very attentive to their customers. I really enjoyed the pizza, and indeed, that's how it's eaten in Italy. (By the way, for an Italian, it's unthinkable to leave the crust on the plate… ;-). We skipped dessert – reason: we were full. With our main courses, we treated ourselves to a glass of wine, and since the menu only offered a small selection of bottled wines, we asked a waiter for a glass and were served a vegan organic rosé, which unfortunately neither of us liked at all. Perhaps we would have been better off with a bottle of good white wine from Italy. What you can definitely taste, however, are the high-quality ingredients: sourced as locally as possible, and always of the highest quality and fresh.

The cozy atmosphere invites you to linger.

Ambiance and atmosphere

The restaurant has a long, narrow layout and a harmonious design, featuring a pizza oven near the entrance, a dark bar, set tables, and subtle lighting. I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in and was greeted warmly. My companion and I were given the choice of table, and we selected one on the small mezzanine at the back. Music played softly in the background. The restaurant's approximately 108 seats are divided into various seating areas, making it suitable for smaller events of 10-15 people (think of your Christmas parties!). There's also outdoor seating for over 60 guests. Plans are underway to transform the space into more of a lounge than the current simple seating.

Hard facts and personal opinion

If you'd like to try Salo for yourself, you should definitely make a reservation, at least for dinner from 7 pm onwards. They open at 5 pm, and are closed on Mondays. Tuesday is pizza day at Salo, and every pizza costs a very reasonable €7.90. Wednesday, on the other hand, is "wine day," and for €13.90 per table, you can get all the wine you can drink. I would definitely come back to Salo – if only for the truffle pasta and the Rosato Spritz. 🙂 The service is friendly and attentive, the atmosphere is great, and you'll happily linger longer than your plate is full. Stop by and see for yourself!.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with Salo Ristorante and Pizzeria. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Salo Ristorante and Pizzeria | Schraudolphstraße 44, 80799 Munich
Details: Pizzas made according to authentic Italian recipes; pasta and salads; changing weekly menu.
Website

Become a Facebook fan and don't miss a thing!

Pictures: