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“Portobello” is a small Italian restaurant run by Giovanni and Barbara Jelapi in Nieder Ober-Olm, a neighbouring village.
They opened about 18 years ago and we’ve seen their 2 kids (17 and 14) grow up from littlies (who came and sat at our table to draw on the screeds of mainframe printouts that I’d rescue from the waste-paper at work) to real people.
Why do I like it?
I don’t have to order a wheat beer – they just bring it.
They’ve christened Mrs jb’s favourite pasta dish (which isn’t on the menu – spaghettini with olive oil, garlic and peperoni ) “Pasta Anna”
They think it’s hilarious if you’re sitting in a hidden corner of the restaurant and call them up on the mobile to order an espresso.
They think it’s hilarious if Giovanni’s sitting at a table talking to customers (leaving Barbara rushed off her feet) and I put a towel over my arm and go up and ask if I can get them anything from the bar.
Best of all – when Mrs jb scoffs the amaretti from my espresso, Giovanni asks “Did she steal it?”, whips the cup away and comes back with some more “just for you, though”…
Mainz Daily Photo 
>I want to go there right this minute!
>All that sounds like you are one of the "regulars."
>Love the anecdotes. Pasta Anna's choice of pasta dish sounds simple and simply delicious.