Luxembourg Restaurants

It took more than two years for Diego Lo Piccolo’s idea to fully blossom and turn into the vibrant library - cafeteria it is today. Altrimenti – which means ‘in a different way’ in Italian – opened its doors in the heart of Luxembourg City in June 2006, and Diego is full of bright ideas for the future.

The front space is dedicated to Italian literature and books translated into the language, leaving a first time visitor thinking they have just entered a simple library. Yet as one steps deeper, a small lounge-like area opens with pictures on the walls – the area Diego hopes to be able to further develop into a space of culture, calm and easy living. On 29 October an exhibition by painter Biagio Longo will open here, followed by a number of others centered on Italy, Italian painters and views of the country.

The last part of the space, transformed from an inner court, is surprisingly light and bright thanks to a tansparent roof. With a variety of toasts, panini, piadine as well as meals mixing fresh cheese and smoked salmon, Diego wishes to only serve light meals with fresh and essential products. He has removed all excess from the dishes, allowing his customers to add oils, vinegar, salt and pepper according to their desires.

Beyond simply being an Italian place, Diego expresses his desire to open a space for people who desire to take time to live life on a quieter pace. “Here, it is like in my home, I want people to feel comfortable,” he says.
In a world seemingly obsessed with speed, he offers people the ability to take time to relax and step away from their daily worries and enjoy the simple fact of being alive – even if it is for just half an hour.

Diego has designed and chosen everything in Altrimenti himself. With hundreds of titles available in Italian and a space to relax and simply take time to live, he certainly has crafted a pure space of relaxation and enjoyment in the middle of Luxembourg. (adapted from an article I wrote for a local magazine)

I haven't had the chance to taste everything yet, and being a vegetarian the list of dishes I may recommend is quite short (like wherever I go) but I'll give you an idea of the meals offered and the ones that I have been told are especially good.

Besides for the toasts, paninis and piadines available with the usual kind of 'fillings' (vegetarian *yum*, cheese, ham, etc) that are quite surprisingly good (all ingredients are fresh - delivered in the morning), you'll also find a great number of cold dishes, such as:
- Robiola (type of fresh cheese) with herbs and grilled salmon on toast (with salad);
- Bresaola, real mozzarella, pink grapefruit (with salad);
- Salad with mozzarella, avocado, olives and ricotta.

But! Ha! The best part of this place is of course the real Italian coffee, espresso, marocchino, capuccino, latte machiato and other 'derivateives' :P but there again I am only relying on what people have told me since I don't drink coffee...

Luxembourg Restaurants

Visiting Luxembourg?

Visiting Luxembourg?