Tip: here you eat the tastiest pasta in Antwerp
This hotspot has been recommended to me a few times, so last week, when I was in my favorite city Antwerp, I finally gave it a chance: Pasta Hippo Vino, an Italian-French restaurant right in the historic center on the Oude Koornmarkt. And oh my god, I just regret not listening to it earlier with my stubborn behavior. Of course, I can't keep this tip to myself.
I must admit: from the outside, it doesn't look super spectacular, but you don't notice that inside. You walk in through the Vino Wine Bar, which already looks a lot more atmospheric. Just walk through and you end up in different rooms, each with its own interior style. Just like being in a restaurant in the heart of Italy.
And then the menu: not too extensive, but I don't mind that due to my constant choice stress. I was advised to order the vitello tonato as a starter. The combination of veal with tuna sauce on top was said to be delicious, and I can now confirm this. But there were more starters. Think of a good salmon tartare or a delicious plate of antipasti with, among other things, lamb meatballs and tapenades. The waitress walked by with this and I almost regretted it.
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For the main course, I chose the black tagliatelle with homemade pesto and beef carpaccio. If you, like me, are always looking for carpaccio on the menu and prefer to eat pasta every day, then this is the holy grail: pasta and carpaccio together. What more could a person want? You might have to get used to the color palette on your plate; I have never found black and red a good combination, but for this one time, I approve.
And if you're not a fan of carpaccio (I can hardly imagine that), there are plenty of other delicious options. Besides the delicious Italian pastas with both fish and meat, there are also vegetarian options like a vegan rigatoni with oyster mushrooms or a vegan bolognese.
As much as I would like to, I unfortunately had to skip dessert due to my lactose intolerance. But actually, that wouldn't fit anymore: after such a starter and main course, you're as full as an egg. One thing I know for sure: this was not the last time at Pasta Hippo Vino. Who's coming with me?
