"But Tuesday, 8th. September 2020 I was back in Neuenkirchen, with Giuseppe Licata in the imposing Villa Frieling. We had simply decided spontaneously, no desire to cook, want to take a bike tour with one of the last bright evenings in 2020. The autumn comes unstoppable, the evenings are getting dark and cold again. Only on the way we started to think about where we would turn for a meal. Antekoje? Creative cuisine, but closed on a Tuesday. Thies? Unfortunately permanently closed since the Corona Lockdown, I fear that will not change again. The air for a reasonable return to food in Neuenkirchen has become thin. Wilmink was chosen or just the La Via by Giuseppe Licata. We decided to go to the last restaurant and drove towards the town centre of Neuenkirchen. Several years ago the house was still under the name Amici one of our absolute favorite restaurants in the first Rheinenser years. Now it has always been a bit under the radar when our restaurant destinations were fixed. The wheels were uncomplicatedly parked at the door and we went in and asked for a table. That was not a problem, and so we took place in the previously so frequently visited guest room. It is still very cozy, from the guest room itself, via the conservatory and the terrace, which was no longer a theme. The maps were handed over, as always, a large table on the wall of the guest room still gives information about day offers. No alcohol for both of us this evening, so a non-alcoholic pils were ordered. The maps came, Giuseppe Licata offers both pizza and pasta, as well as upscale Italian cuisine. I couldn't decide on tempting offers on the board, even on the map. Then I discovered an offer, surprise menus from 3 to 5 courses starting from 25 EUR to 35 EUR. I just couldn't decide, and neither did I, so we just left the food choice to the kitchen, 4 courses were ordered. Giuseppe came to the table, was very pleased with our choice and asked intolerances and preferences. If one asks us for preference, one lands with fish and seafood, that Giuseppe was added to the kitchen. After that we stopped things. The kitchen welcomed us with fresh warm bread, refined with herbs. To this end, a salted butter that bridged the waiting time for the first gear. While we were waiting, the guest room filled with a number of visitors for a Tuesday night. At some point, it started with the first gear, and the kitchen had already put itself in pieces visually. There was Carpaccio. But not simply thin slices of the sea tuft, no, there were 2 layers of fish placed between the spinach. There's a mix of olive and tomato and truffles over it. Crunch came to the plate through a dried strip of pastinake. Wow, we didn't expect that. Very fine start! We were looking forward to the second gear. 4 courses we had not chosen without reason, we hoped a little for the classic Italian menu order Antipasti (perfectly done by the kitchen), Pasta, main course and Dessert. Giuseppe served Gang 2 himself, Pasta, as hoped. Pasta for the photo album! Spaghetti as from my (Giuseppes) home Sardinia was announced. The sauce was classic, with capers, olives, anchovies, tomato, with chopped pistachios. The capers from the Sardinian home by the mother herself in vinegar. We could try them separately, extremely delicious, not as salty as the goods we can get here. Again Crunch on top, this time dried red beet slices. Gang two continued enjoyment from Gang 1. The main course came to the table. Fish, as previously requested was served. Seek, this time roasted in a butter flavoured with roasted fennel seeds. The fillet was fried to the point, very lightly glazed inside as it must be. Under the fillet spinach and pine, with roasted potato halves. Tomato pieces also contributed to the aroma, my wife also meant to taste truffles, but I could not discover anything. Nevertheless, three courses at this level, that we had not expected. Missed the dessert that came to the table as a conclusion. Panna Cotta, super, my favorite Italian dessert! Quite simply it was, flavored with vanilla, accompanied by a few chocolate splinters and a little fruit! Schlicht is also delicious! Nice completion of four very convincing courses. Above all, considering Giuseppe calling for 29,90 EUR. You just have to let yourself in on surprises. An espresso closed our menu at La Via. The service by the boss and a young colleague was dedicated and without a tadel. All dishes were presented in detail and gave us some envious views from the neighboring tables. So I can come to the conclusion. Actually, I know that Giuseppe Licata can be fed extraordinarily well, yet he gets too often under the radar when we go out. I promised him we'd come more often. Always a good place to get in, who you want to eat Italian!"
