L'Arte in Cucina

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Piece of Tuscany on Gerricusplatz

Right across from the Basilika St. Margareta in Düsseldorf's Gerresheim district, L'Arte in Cucina is a family affair in the most genuine sense. Gianluca Casini and his wife run the restaurant with a clear conviction: fresh, high-quality ingredients and attentive service, in service of the traditions of Tuscan cuisine. That commitment has earned the restaurant 2 Forks from Gambero Rosso in 2025 — the Italian food guide's recognition carrying particular weight for a restaurant devoted to Italy's regional cooking.

The Kitchen: Rooted in Tuscan Tradition

The menu at L'Arte in Cucina changes frequently, reflecting what's seasonal and available rather than a fixed repertoire. What stays constant is the regional identity. Starters include Il Tortino di Carciofi — an artichoke flan with rocket and chestnut mousse, Pecorino IGP foam and pine nuts — and baked Pecorino Toscano DOP with aubergine, rocket and Tuscan ham DOP. These are dishes that speak directly to the Tuscan larder.

Among the pasta courses, the Pici stand out: hand-rolled, thick Tuscan pasta with black cabbage pesto, mixed nuts, Tuscan sausage and Pecorino — a dish that would be at home in a Sienese trattoria. Pappardelle with wild boar ragù and tagliatelle with duck ragout round out a first-course selection that leans confidently into Tuscany's meat-forward traditions. For something lighter, the Gnudi — handmade ricotta and chard dumplings with butter, sage and shaved Pecorino — offer quiet refinement.

Main courses extend the same logic. Rabbit prepared in the Tuscan hunter's style with Taggiasca olives and white wine herb sauce, guinea fowl with a milk, ginger, rosemary and honey sauce, and a sheep stew served with polenta all reflect the kind of cooking that takes its cues from the Tuscan countryside rather than the contemporary fine dining playbook.

Desserts include a Torta della Nonna 2.0 with shortcrust pastry, Italian cream and pine kernels, and Cantucci con Vin Santo e Mousse al Mascarpone — a classically Tuscan ending to the meal.

The Setting

The atmosphere is described by the Casinis as pleasant and relaxed — a deliberate contrast to the bustle of the city. The dining room seats a limited number of guests, which is part of what makes the experience feel considered rather than commercial. It is a place to slow down, and the kitchen's Tuscan cuisine rewards that pace.