Mancaciosii de profesie (si nu numai ei) se impart in doua categorii mari si late: cei carora le plac pastele si cei care pur si simplu le adora! Asa ca, din oricare categorie faci parte, trebuie sa faci o vizita la Dei Frati Brasov – Specialisti in paste ca-n Italia.
Asadar, daca ajungi in Brasov si visezi la un pranz italian autentic, fa-ti drum spre Dei Frati – un restaurant mic, cochet si cu o reputatie solida cand vine vorba de paste facute in casa. Aici, simplitatea intalneste rafinamentul, iar fiecare farfurie spune o poveste cu radacini mediteraneene.
Ascuns pe o straduta linistita din centrul vechi al Brasovului, la doi pasi de Piata Sfatului (mai precis in Piata George Enescu 16), Dei Frati e genul de restaurant care nu tipa dupa atentie, dar te cucereste din prima clipa.
Interiorul e simplu, cu influente italienesti subtile – caramida expusa, lumina calda, mese din lemn si o atmosfera care iti aminteste de o mica trattorie din Toscana.
Restaurantul a fost deschis de fratii Alexandru si Vlad Napar, doi bucatari care au lucrat peste zece ani in restaurante din Italia. Cu experienta si pasiune pentru bucataria italiana, au adus in inima Transilvaniei o bucata din gustul autentic mediteranean.
Meniul este relativ scurt, dar bine gandit. Aici nu te pierzi printre zeci de optiuni, ci te lasi ghidat de sezonalitate si de inspiratia bucatarului.
Cele mai multe dintre preparate se regasesc aproape dintodeauna in meniu, fiind deja niste clasice ale restaurantului. Intre ele, Parmigiana di Melanzane con Pomodoro Fresco, Mozzarela e Cialde di Grana, o delicioasa salata de vinete ascunsa intre biscuiti crocanti de parmesan.
Din randul aperitivelor am incercat aproape tot, insa intre preferatele mele raman: Tartara di Tonno Rosso ai Cetrioli, Cipolla Rossa e Olive Taggiasche si Midiile gratinate (un preparat mai nou introdus in meniu).
Dar sa vorbim despre paste! Se spune ca este greu sa le gresesti, insa se stie ca sunt foarte putini care la nimeresc PERFECTE: nici prea moi, nici prea aldente, nici prea „seci”, dar nici „inecate” in sos… ce sa mai vorbim de gust. Si aici, la Dei Frati, PASTELE sunt vedetele incontestabile – facute in casa, cu textura perfecta si sosuri care respecta traditia italiana. As putea spune, fara sa gresesc, ca sunt multe locuri in Italia in care nu am mancat paste la fel de bune, sau ca lista sa fie si mai scurta, ca sunt putine locurile din lume in care gustul a fost la fel de bun.
Preferatele sunt de departe Spaghetti al Scolglio pe care le-am incercat de atatea ori incat le stiu pe de rost, dar parca tot as mai aprofunda tema din cand in cand… Foarte reusite, insa sezoniere, sunt si Tagliolini cu trufe – un deliciu decadent, cu arome care danseaza pe limba. Le-as mai mentiona si pe Tagliatellele cu ragu de vita – un clasic italian, gatit lent, cu un sos bogat si aromat, pe cele bolognese sau pe cele mai proaspat (re)introduse in meniu: Tagliolini cu cerneala de sepie, langustina, caracatita si scorpie de mare – fine, grozave, de mare angajament culinar.
Proaspat introdus in meniu, complet nou, insa un preparat perfect echilibrat, cu un gust senzational, Calcanul cu migdale, crema de praz si brocollini a intrat direct in top, pe o pozitie fruntasa in preferintele mele all-time.
In afara meniului, in special in serile de vineri, se poate comanda, Burgerul cu caracatita pe care il recomand.
Desi mancarea e italiana, lista de vinuri include si cateva etichete locale excelente. Eu am incercat un Imperfect care s-a potrivit perfect cu variantele de paste alese de mine. Dar daca esti fan vinuri italienesti, Scaia este cea mai buna alegere, cel putin din punctul meu de vedere.
Si la deserturi cei de la Dei Frati stau foarte bine. Am inceput calatoria dulce alaturi de Monte Cimone – un mix de foietaj cu crema fina cu gust delicat si aroma de lamaie. Apoi m-am indragostit de varianta lor de Creme Brulee, pe care l-am „tradat” apoi pentru Affogato al Caffe.
Lovitura de gratie am primit-o insa la ultima vizita, cand am incercat desertul propus de gazde in ultimul meniu: Panna Cotta cu fistic si zmeura – sublim, fin, desavarsit. In afara meniului, am beneficiat si de un Strudel cu mere si inghetata de vanilie – varianta propusa de Alex – unul dintre cele mai reusite dintre cele incercate pana acum. Avertisment: nerecomandat celor cu intoleranta la nuci si stafide pentru ca sunt prezente in cantitati generoase. Varianta de post este desigur fara inghetata, doar cu o pofta vinovata, decadenta de dulce perfect.
Finalul meselor apartine intotdeauna gazdelor care iti propun din partea casei un Limoncello – pentru care singurul motiv intemeiat de refuz este doar permisul de conducere.
Insa poate cel mai mare atu al celor de la Dei Frati este colectivul, care face ca succesul celor de aici sa fie unul total si de lunga durata. Caldura si pozitivitatea fetelor de aici incepe odata cu momentul in care faci rezervarea si se termina la urmatoarea vizita. Pentru ca odata ce le-ai trecut pragul, vei deveni o victima sigura iar adictia fata de acest local va fi definitiva si irevocabila.
Daca ajungi in Brasov si vrei mai mult decat o simpla masa, ci o experienta culinara autentica, Dei Frati e alegerea perfecta. E locul unde mancarea e facuta cu suflet, iar fiecare farfurie iti spune o poveste despre familie, traditie si bucuria de a trai bine. E genul de loc unde nu esti doar client, ci oaspete de seama, iar dupa cateva vizite, membru al familiei!
Tips de foodie calator: rezerva cu cateva zile inainte – locurile se ocupa repede, mai ales in weekend. Daca preferi ceva anume, spune atunci si cu siguranta ti se va pune de-o parte.
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English version
Dei Frati Brașov – Specialists in Pasta Like in Italy
Professional foodies (and not only them) fall into two large and clear categories: those who like pasta and those who simply adore it! So, no matter which group you belong to, you must pay a visit to Dei Frati Brașov – Specialists in pasta like in Italy.
So, if you find yourself in Brașov and dream of an authentic Italian lunch, make your way to Dei Frati – a small, charming restaurant with a solid reputation when it comes to homemade pasta. Here, simplicity meets refinement, and every plate tells a story with Mediterranean roots.
Hidden on a quiet street in Brașov’s old town, just a stone’s throw from Piața Sfatului (more precisely at Piața George Enescu 16), Dei Frati is the kind of restaurant that doesn’t shout for attention – but wins you over from the very first moment.
The interior is simple, with subtle Italian influences – exposed brick, warm lighting, wooden tables, and an atmosphere that reminds you of a small trattoria in Tuscany.
The restaurant was opened by brothers Alexandru and Vlad Napar, two chefs who spent over ten years working in restaurants across Italy. With experience and a deep love for Italian cuisine, they brought a piece of authentic Mediterranean flavor to the heart of Transylvania.
The menu is relatively short but thoughtfully curated. You don’t get lost in dozens of choices – you let yourself be guided by seasonality and the chef’s inspiration.
Most of the dishes have been on the menu from the very beginning, already becoming classics of the house. Among them: Parmigiana di Melanzane con Pomodoro Fresco, Mozzarella e Cialde di Grana – a delicious eggplant salad tucked between crispy parmesan wafers.
From the appetizers, I’ve tried nearly everything, but my favorites remain: Tartara di Tonno Rosso ai Cetrioli, Cipolla Rossa e Olive Taggiasche and the gratinated mussels – a more recent addition to the menu.
But let’s talk about pasta! They say it’s hard to get pasta wrong – but it’s also known that very few get it PERFECT: not too soft, not too al dente, not too dry, but not drowned in sauce either… let’s not even start on the flavor. And here, at Dei Frati, PASTA is the undisputed star – homemade, with the perfect texture and sauces that stay true to Italian tradition. I could say, without exaggerating, that there are many places in Italy where I haven’t had pasta as good as this, or to put it even more clearly – there are very few places in the world where the taste matched it.
My favorite, by far, is the Spaghetti al Scoglio, which I’ve tried so many times I know them by heart – yet I still feel the need to revisit them from time to time… Also excellent (and seasonal) are the Tagliolini with truffles – a decadent delight with aromas that dance on the tongue. I’d also mention the Tagliatelle with beef ragu – an Italian classic, slow-cooked with a rich, aromatic sauce, the bolognese, or the newly (re)introduced Tagliolini with squid ink, langoustine, octopus, and scorpion fish – refined, delicious, and a true culinary commitment.
Newly introduced to the menu and immediately making it to the top of my all-time favorites: Turbot with almonds, leek cream, and broccolini – perfectly balanced, with sensational flavor.
Off-menu, especially on Friday evenings, you can order the Octopus Burger, which I highly recommend.
Even though the food is Italian, the wine list includes some excellent local labels. I tried an Imperfect, which paired perfectly with the pasta dishes I chose. But if you’re a fan of Italian wines, Scaia is, in my opinion, the best choice.
And when it comes to desserts, Dei Frati delivers once again. I started my sweet journey with Monte Cimone – a mix of puff pastry with delicate cream and a subtle lemon flavor. Then I fell in love with their version of Crème Brûlée, only to later “cheat” on it with Affogato al Caffè.
The final blow came during my last visit, when I tried the dessert proposed by the hosts in the latest menu: Pistachio and Raspberry Panna Cotta – sublime, delicate, exquisite. Off-menu, I also enjoyed an Apple Strudel with vanilla ice cream – Alex’s suggestion – one of the best I’ve ever had. Warning: not recommended for those with nut or raisin intolerance, as both are present in generous amounts. The vegan-friendly version comes without ice cream, just with a deliciously guilty sweet craving.
The meal always ends with a gesture from the hosts – a complimentary Limoncello. The only valid reason to say no? If you’re driving.
But perhaps the biggest asset of Dei Frati is the team – they are the heart of the restaurant’s long-lasting success. The warmth and positivity of the staff starts from the moment you make a reservation and lasts until your next visit. Because once you step through their door, you’ll be hooked – and your addiction to this place will be total and irreversible.
If you’re in Brașov and looking for more than just a meal – but a true, authentic culinary experience – Dei Frati is the perfect choice. It’s a place where food is made with soul, and every plate tells a story of family, tradition, and the joy of living well. It’s the kind of place where you’re not just a customer, but a treasured guest – and after a few visits, a member of the family.
Foodie traveler tip: make a reservation a few days in advance – seats fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If you have a favorite dish, let them know – they’ll gladly set it aside for you.
If you enjoyed the article Dei Frati Brașov – Specialists in Pasta Like in Italy, you might also like to read Primo – Atelier della pasta, La bottega della Gina XXL or superlative pasta or Le Rune Genova – Ristorante con Funicolare.
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