With the ubiquitous Italian restaurant practically on every corner, you'd think that Germany's star…read morecuisine would have to be a step above what you can find in America since they're so much closer to Italy! The reality of this is that most of these restaurants are lame stand-ins serving German-ized Italian fare which means my husband and I have been to our fare share of Italian restaurant flops in Hannover. Almost everything on the typical Italian menu around here comes "überbacken," which the Italians would probably translate into "melted cheese suicide." Exit the Italian wannabe stand-in, enter Fellini, a shrine to the famed director serving actual homemade pasta right in the Lister Meile in Hannover. It's a small space but brimming with hospitality and plates of honest good Italian food made with the attention to detail that the film director would have appreciated. The simple mixed salads that we ordered were already a preview of what was to come since they were basic lettuce, tomato, red onion and carrot arrangements, but nonetheless pleasingly arranged and plainly dressed with oil. They were super fresh and delicious. I didn't have to cut apart any iceberg lettuce 'icebergs' with a knife and fork to get it into my mouth. You could add your own salt, pepper and balsamic to taste with the extra condiments they brought to your table. The main dishes were earthy and satisfying. We had a few of the specials of the day including a steak dish with a coffee reduction sauce as well as the homemade salmon and spinach gnocchis in sage butter. The heady coffee reduction sauce and the gnocchi's unexpectedly heavenly texture with pieces of salmon and spinach incorporated into the dough itself had our taste buds asking for an encore but the portions were so generous we reluctantly had to decline dessert. At this point the curtains were already rolling down on this happy production but the smiling owner and head chef of the restaurant wouldn't let us leave without giving us a few hunks from a massive footstool-sized panettone they had gotten for the holidays. It was a Loison panettone and it was the freshest, moistest, most fragrant and absolutely the best panettone I have ever eaten in my life--a crowning finish to a stellar performance from an all star cast. I can't wait to go back to Fellini's to sample another act from this truly authentic culinary entertainer.

Nice ambiance and the food was great, lamb ragot was so yummy and the lentil soup is fantastic, you…read morewon't regret it, real worth it

No fuss local food and drink lace. Modern flavors with a laidback vibe. Plenty of snacks food and…read morecreative drinks.

From the outside, it seemed like a typical Italian place, but typical it is definetely not. I am so…read moreglad we didn't want to walk very far that night and decided to check out Loretta's. Best part about it: perfect alternative to restaurants in the Old Town if you're staying at the Courtyard. I ordered the shrimp entree that comes with tricolore sauces, which although they sound simple, were bursting with flavor and offered a great contrast ... pesto, chunky marinara, and something sour-cream based. I was impressed with how many pieces of shrimp were actually on the plate! Very generous - I was definitely stuffed. Oh and if that wasn't enough, the dish came with an equally delicious side salad and roasted baby potatoes. My coworkers got the special - which was a viener shnitzel in a creamy mushroom sauce (and even though I've had more shnitzel than I care to mention in Germany, but this gourmet version was absolutely fantastic). Bruschetta appetizer was a good classic and very fresh, as was the amuse bouche - a gazpacho variation. We had a wonderful bottle of white wine (can't remember the type), the setting and atmosphere were very cute and service attentive.

More of an outdoor terrace than a biergarten, Lorettas is a great place for an outdoor lunch or…read moreglass of wine. They have a nice selection of sandwiches and salads, and also serve breakfast until 6PM on weekends. The setting is quite nice too -- lots of greenery, fairly quiet. A good spot for people watching too

- pretty good filet steak - excellent pommes (potatoes!)…read more- the schnitzel was pretty spot on and authentic - ketchup doesn't have much sugar to it, but still worked great with the fries - soup was A+ - tasted like it came from a michelin restaurant - the hazelnut ice cream was A+++ - best ice cream I've had ever probably! Overall, super kind staff. Very attentive, a bit aggressive on pushing for drinks, but solid service. Definitely would come again.

Enjoyed our tasting menu meal. The artichoke salad and soup were amazing. Would definitely…read morerecommend this place for a date night! Restaurant is very nice and service was fantastic!

Very delicious meat (Mr.Rumpsteak) Service good, personnel was kind and friendly warm.read more

I had lunch there, the food was ok. The staff were friendly, but they were pushing things to you. I…read moretold her I do not want water and yet she brought it and charge me for it!