Cafe de Curtis – Simple but Good

Cafe de Curtis is a small Italian restaurant in the Jordaan. It’s simple but good.

Some reviewers complain that the food is too simple and that the service is arrogant. I disagree. The food is no frills – focused on just the right ingredients and perfect preparation. And while the service might seem blunt, it’s correct and knowledgeable. My impression is that the people who run de Curtis take pride in what they serve.

The building is typical Jordaan. The restaurant floor long and narrow, laid out around the open kitchen. Cafe de Curtis is really small with less than ten tables. There is one large table by the entrance, which is great for larger groups and also fun when shared by several guests and some of the regulars. Then there are a few tables for 2 or 4 people along the side wall, opposite the kitchen.

The walls are decorated with posters of classic Italian movies, mostly featuring Napolitanean actor Totò, known in real life as Antonio de Curtis. We were sitting at a table below Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg bathing in the Trevi Fountain in Rome…

The menu is small and written on a chalkboard. The dishes are simple classics like Bresaola, Caprese salad, Spaghetti Vongole or Saltimbocca. When we went last Friday, the waiter was very helpful. That night he set us up with a delicious Dolcetto wine (Famiglia Marrone) that was not on the main wine list. We loved it. It was unusually strong for a Dolcetto, but still had its typical smooth and distict flavor.

The pasta – penne with pumpkin and taleggio – was only average. The penne were slightly overcooked and the sauce was a little too thick. The rest of the dinner was fantastic. The Filetto with rucola and parmesan was close to perfection. The meat was tasty, tender and cooked just right – without even having to ask for medium / rare. The home made panna cotta was equally good and. It had just the right consistency and was the perfect finish of the dinner.

You can find de Curtis on 2e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 6hs.