Brussels is full of Italian restos of course and many are very good.

But to discover a truly authentic version of a classic Italian dish you really should start with just one place: Osteria Romana.

This is run by the very colourful and enigmatic Filippo La Vecchia who hails from Rome and  really does know how to knock up a quite wonderful carbonara.

This is invariably a delicious dish but made all the more memorable when produced by the highly-talented Filippo.

It shows you do not necessarily have to go to Italy to sample some of the best of that country’s fantastic cuisine.

It is available, right in the heart of Brussels.

It is also the specialty of the house at this resto and is widely and correctly considered one of the best in the Belgian capital. Prepared with al dente spaghetti, organic eggs, Pecorino romano, Amatrice pork cheek and a blend of black pepper, this carbonara is absolutely devine.

Chef/owner Filippo transports his customers to his childhood memories spent in Rome and “his grandmother’s kitchen.” If simplicity is key, it is the fresh ingredients imported directly from Italy and worked with passion that make the difference. And all of this in what is an ultra-intimate and romantic setting.

It could therefore be asked: if you haven’t tried Filippo’s carbonara yet have you ever really tasted carbonara?

Actually, it isn’t just his carbo that is spot on but also lots of other types of pasta such as amatriciana and parmigiana. All are sumptuous.

It also serves a top-notch burrata. For this, Filippo chose stracciatella, the creamy heart of burrata, accompanied by tonno e tartufo, tuna and truffle. If you prefer primi piatti, go for the succulent Filippo-style pasta al pomodoro, pasta accompanied by cherry tomatoes and the ultra creamy burrata di Andria straight from Puglia.

A lot of the ingredients used by the chef are flown in directly from Italy and it shows in the fabulous cuisine.

Behind the bar, signature cocktails concocted by a talented mixologist complete the experience (there’s also some excellent wines available to accompany the very tasty food).

Filippo, backed by a hard working team including Fabio, who’s worked with him for some seven years, is known for his bold and uninhibited take on Italian cuisine.

His dishes, often described as “culinary works of art”, bear the imprint of his passionate character and his love for simple ingredients, transformed into high-flying taste experiences.

Filippo says he celebrates Italian cuisine with a free and creative spirit, often punctuated by a touch of rock’n’roll that sets him apart in the sometimes rather grey gastronomic landscape.

This resto has, indeed, established itself as a must-visit on the Brussels gastronomic scene.

With an elegant interior, evoking an Art Deco that is at once modern, romantic and slightly kitsch, the restaurant offers fusion cuisine,  which is both eclectic and refined.

Worth noting that the resto also offers a takeaway service: good news if you just prefer some top notch Italian fayre, albeit in the comfort of your own home.

The resto is located in a quiet street just off the bustling Avenue Louise and is very easily accessible by tram.

Filippo told this site that his mission is to bring the finest Italian cuisine to his adopted home, Belgium, and there can be no doubt that with his lovely restaurant he has succeeded brilliantly. The quality and freshness of the delicious food is, like the service here, very high. The dishes are all typical ones from a Roman kitchen but prepared in a very modern way, with attention to the detail.

This small and very cosy place really is little bit of the Eternal City transplanted to Brussels.

Advance booking is strongly advised.

Osteria Romana, Av Legrand 11,Brussels

02 648 1395; www.osteriaromana.be