Description: I like the genuine trattoria ambience of Al Caballuccio (the seahorse) Ristorante. The outdoor tables, with red and white cloths, and inside -- wooden floors, marble bar, beamed ceilings with large bladed fans all blend to a wildly friendly atmosphere. Situated just steps from the harbor at Duino, the outdoor tables are always full if the weather is good.
The local maritime cuisine revolves above all around the quality of the fish and simple cooking methods, which bring its taste to the fore. Main attractions include superb seafood starters and beautifully seasoned risottos. Shellfish, salads and the absolute best baked and grilled Istrian fish. Be a bit careful of what you order, I was shocked the first time I ordered shrimp and they arrived
with the head still on!
Jose Gustavo Martinez, a native of Argentina, is the Owner-waiter here. He works here 6 months, then returns to Argentina to work in his restaurant there. He is also the author of
L’ULTIMO- MAGGIORDOMO a book on the history of the Castle at Duino. He was proud to sign the copy we bought.
For lunch one day, my husband and I each had
Caprese, that beautiful blend of mozzarella cheese, fresh ripe tomatoes and basil--all artfully drizzled with olive oil. My tagliatello with mixed seafood was an excellent blend of flavors atop a lightly seasoned pasta. Dear husband loved the Spaghetti scoglio--a blend of clams, mussels and other shellfish in a pesto sauce atop spaghetti. We shared a half-liter of the house wine and were too full to have dessert. Total cost for the meal was 45,50 Euros.
The night before we left Duino, we hosted a small dinner party for six friends and the cost for a lovely meal including wine was about 145,00 Euros.
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