"Trattoria Rocco opened in Halstenbek at the beginning of 2013, but I only managed to visit the restaurant after half a year, even though I walk past it every day and the red luminaries animated me to visit. I also saw more cars standing in front of the place, almost every evening it was full here, and I said to myself sometime, but now you have to go to dinner. On a lukewarm summer evening it was finally ready. I had an appointment with a good friend who I said she was going in and looking for a nice place for us. I couldn't see if I got out of the office on time because of my work. And so I was late – but only slightly – and then arrived at Rocco at 7:00. I found my girlfriend sitting outside, siping at the Prosecco, a good laugh. Outside, it doesn't mean, outside the place, but HINTEN in a rather large outdoor area that you wouldn't have expected from the front. Here there were 15-20 tables, some parasols, protected by the walls of the restaurant and a house behind it as well as a fence to the neighboring house. Although it was not very green here, it was very lasy. Hardly I had greeted her and put me to her, a waiter came and brought me a prosecco and a basket with bread and a kind of knobi cream as a greeting from the kitchen. He brought the menus for us. But as it is with girls who haven't seen each other for a long time, we have tasted extensively and left us time. We didn't have much to eat anyway, a little bit. I was just looking for a tomato soup, my friend ordered a lasagna. We both ordered Cola. Then we looked around a little and let the atmosphere work on us. It was almost every table occupied with people of all ages, even small and larger children were there. The mood was good and relaxed. The service was fast and very friendly, but also a little non-binding. Then the food came. My tomato soup was garnished with a Klecks cream, the lasagna came very hot in a small square dish. The Cola was pretty cold. The taste of the tomato soup was ok, should have been a bit more tomato. My friend was very happy with her lasagna. After an espresso we left the Trattoria again, rich and satisfied. We had a good night here. It took three months to come back here again. Again, I had an appointment with a friend, and by chance I saw that the luminaries also glowed, an indication that this is open today. In fact, Tuesday was always a day of rest, but today and on the following Tuesdays in December should be open experimentally. Lucky must have a wife, so we returned here. It was, of course, too cold to sit outside, and so I took the premises of the Trattoria very well. This means that only the front room, because we were lucky to get the comfortable sofa right on the window. The room is relatively large and extends over the entire length of the restaurant. To the front, that is to say towards the street, is a large glass front, and the tables that stand there, and that are occupied by guests, are to some extent the shop window of the Trattoria Rocco. On the left side of the room is the long tresses, where 1-2 service forces were swung around. At the end of the room it goes into the outdoor area. The walls are painted in a bright tone, interrupted by dark wooden beams. Everything is rustic, including small wooden utensils hanging on the walls, and also the treses could stand in a peasant kitchen. The tables are covered with white tablecloths, the small two tables are located directly on the longitudinal wall, the larger tables are arranged in the middle of the room one behind the other. In the front area near the window there are some special table options, also a round table is included. The lighting is quite economical, but for me it was okay. It was early evening and not on all sides known that today is open. So it was relatively empty. Hardly we had set ourselves, someone came from the service with 2 glasses Prosecco, the well-known bread basket and the menus. We were very kindly greeted and then immediately began studying the menus. This time it should be a little more than a little bit. We ordered both a pasta dish, the Tagliatelle dello Chef (band noodles with mascarpone, chestnuts, scampi and cream sauce) for 9,50 €, just because it sounded delicious. I drank Cola light, 0.4 l for € 3.50. The food came after about 15 minutes, was hot and was visually well dressed. Tastefully it was solid, there were 3 scampiss on the plate and plenty of chestnuts. We were very fast fed, as the cream and mascara sauce were very rich and saturating. But still we've eaten everything. The portion was fine from size, but could be even more generous. In the meantime, I had to go to the toilet, which is in the rear area. You have to go through the large guest room and then come through a smaller room that you don't see right from the front because hidden behind the vault. The toilets are very clean and well maintained. My friend and I were happy at all, it tasted us both good, and we had a really nice evening. The staff did not have too much to do and was very attentive. After paying, we were still a little out of the door and passed out in the rack. Then Rocco came out personally and tasted with us for a while and told us some things about the place. He said he had problems with the service at the beginning, but he has a good crew and it's going much better. I can definitely confirm this for tonight. And last week I was back at Rocco, this time on a Sunday night. I was walking in the woods with a good friend, and we were both hungry. We soon returned to the Trattoria, sat on a two table on the wall and were greeted with Prosecco and the Bread Basket, like I did. We looked a little rustic, but it wasn't a problem at all. After ordering, I once again chose tomato soup for 4 € (which this time was super tasty) and pappardelle all’ Anatra (extra wide pasta with tomato sauce, cream, cognac and duck breast) for 9,50 € and my accompaniment chose Bistecca Reggio Emilia (rumpsteak with parma ham, green pepper, onions, cognac, white wine sauce and knot 50 € We ordered cola and soft wheat beer. The service was flashing, the soup came after a good 5 minutes. She was like the first time, so ok, but not overwhelming, but I just love tomato soup and always eat it at the Italian. My accompaniment and I entertained, while in the restaurant it was always full, and there were many families with children. I observed that they were all greeted to the most cordial and very personally and received a table as desired. In addition, 1-2 people were always waiting for their order to go. It became more and more loud in the Trattoria, more and more tables were occupied, many people talked, many children were there. But we talked very intensively and did not perceive the volume negatively, although it was very stubborn. For a romantic rendevous it might not be so suitable, I think. Larger groups can be accommodated here without problems, in the back somewhat smaller room I saw a group of 10 people sitting in one of my visits. Conclusion: a nice place in my neighborhood where you can go well and just spend a nice evening. I found the food solid, certainly not a top kitchen, but also not salted or otherwise mistreated. On the next occasion I will try other dishes, for example pizza. I also liked the Italian hospitality, although the service should wait a two minutes until it brings the Prosecco and the bread basket to the table. At least I'd like to take the jacket off and sit down. I evaluate with 4 stars because I feel that Rocco and his team really want to do everything well and get a lot of effort. Ultimately, some things aren't perfect or optimal, but for me it matters whether I feel comfortable and I do. Meanwhile, I can say that the Rocco has become something like my regular Italian. I don't live so far away and can walk, and sometimes I eat only a little bit, and there's no one looking funny. The crew is really good now, they're on Zack, funny and friendly."
Lorena
