At Italian restaurant TOZI, you’ll eat the pasta of your dreams
TOZI has been one of our favorite Italian restaurants in the capital for years. The dishes you eat here may be on the pricey side, but they are unbelievably delicious. The menu changes regularly, and with the arrival of the new Italian chef, some new classics have been added too. The highlight: the ravioli with buffalo ricotta and truffle. This dish alone is more than worth a trip to TOZI.
TOZI, the living room of Park Plaza Vondelpark in Amsterdam-Zuid, has a new chef, Giacomo Tasca. With his arrival, a number of new classics have also been added to the menu. Such as the Spaghetti alla chitarra (literally: ‘guitar pasta’) with Amatriciana sauce. This pasta dish with Guanciale (Italian cured pork jowl, made from the pig’s cheek) features the most characteristic ingredient from Amatrice (a village in central Italy). Giacomo’s childhood memories of summers with his grandmother inspired him to create this dish.
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- Chef Giacomo Tasca
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- Spaghetti alla chitarra
Burnt fingers
Every so often, TOZI’s menu changes. Fortunately, true classics remain on the menu, such as the Zucchini Fritti: courgettes cut into matchsticks, dipped in a light batter and then deep-fried. Divine, especially with a glass of Soave!
The Lamb ‘scottadito’ is every bit as delicious. Scottadito means burnt fingers, and the dish gets its name from the fact that these lamb chops are so delicious that no one can resist eating them sizzling hot, straight from the grill—and therefore with burning fingers.
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- Zucchini Fritti
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- Lamb “scottadito”
Burrata with tomato jus
When I see burrata on the menu, I have to order it. Boring? Perhaps. But above all, delicious—and that’s what matters, right? (My love for the creamy ball of indulgence has even led FavorFlav and Kaasfort Amsterdam to set up a proper burrata bar together during the Bacchus wine festival, so do stop by if you love burrata as much as I do).
At TOZI, the burrata is paired with a fresh, sweet-and-tangy tomato jus and believe me: it’s a brilliant combination. We order focaccia separately—eight euros for three small pieces is really on the pricey side, but it does taste very good. TOZI is not cheap in general, but we are in a hotel restaurant, after all, and you know what that does to prices. Besides, it is no longer a secret that prices in the hospitality industry have risen enormously (just check the inflation at Michelin-starred restaurants—shocking!)
Favorite pasta: ravioli
But my favorite dish on the menu is the ravioli with buffalo ricotta and truffle. This dish is velvety soft, lightly fresh, slightly earthy from the truffle and creamy thanks to the butter sauce. You can choose between a small plate (€15) and a larger portion (€23). Tip: just order the largest portion straight away, because this is a dish that will almost make you cry with happiness. You may as well ask for some extra bread to mop up the plate. You don’t want to miss this round of fare la scarpetta!
Lemon tart
Of course, we’re not leaving without dessert. We hesitate between the Pistach-misu and the Lemon tart, and choose the latter. A wonderful choice, because with such a fresh and sweet finish, the evening is complete. TOZI, what a great place!
TOZI Restaurant & Bar, Koninginneweg 34, Amsterdam
