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Taste		It's situated on the corner of Piazza Cavour in the old town. Since the location is very convenient, it becomes full easily even during lunch time on weekdays. On weekends people are waiting for seats outside. Several dishes are cooked utilizing good material and very delicious. In addition, you can enjoy a casual supper of pizzas so here is one of the reputable restaurants among local people. In summer you can be seated on tables outside in a lively atmosphere. The enoteca next door is opened and filled with people till late night.
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Restaurant in the heart of the city, always filled with customers

"Pe Pen" is located just in the heart of the city. It stands at one corner of the Piazza Cavour together with Cafe Pedrocchi and Cafe Cavour. Contrary to the impression of the outside, inside is wider and composed by some small rooms and there are enough seats. In the summer they set also terrace seats so it's become more vibrant also outside. Italian summer's midday sun is very strong but at night you can enjoy cool air having a dinner, it's very pleasant. There are many friends, families as well as many couples. In this restaurant there is no female staff. For male clients it may be a little bit disappointing!? But they are very friendly.

Also here it's recommended seafood

Since Padua can get fresh seafood from Chioggia fishing port near Venice, there are many restaurants of good seafood dishes. Here, "Pe Pen" is also one of them. Especially for pasta dishes they are utilizing the natural taste of each material. They know to combine main seafood and vegetables with each long pasta and short pasta. The taste of raw materials intertwines well with pasta. And for the main dishes, I recommend naturally typical grilled fish and fried fish but also raw fresh fish with tartar sauce. The fresh fish is changed depending on each day. I ordered grilled tuna (the menu's name is Tagliata) on that day. It was cut very thick and quite rare inside, cooked exquisitely good. Squeezed lemon added a fresh note. Tuna caught in the Mediterranean, especially its lean meat is actually very tasty.

For main dish, meat ...

I talked about fish with tartar sauce on above, but I also recommend beef with tartar sauce. The lean beef is minced in the kitchen after your order. Then chopped onion, garlic, anchovies and capers are attached around the meat on the plate. When this plate is carried to the table, a waiter tastes it in front of you. He mixes seasoning salt, pepper, olive oil, Tabasco and brandy... making a solid mixing and mashing them with a fork and spoon. When it becomes smoothy, he has to mix seasoned meat skillfully. According to them, this is an important point of this dish. All of waiters of this restaurant are very professional and their "cooking" scene is really cool to watch. Now, the meat mixture is formed round and added black pepper and olive oil quickly. Finally you can taste it. It looks simple and no bad smell of meat even if it's raw. You can enjoy a moderate taste and soft texture on the tongue.

Also recommended Pizza

It's also possible to take only pizzas both at lunch and dinner time. There are two Pizzaiolo from Naples. They use an electronic oven, however, their good taste of dough receive a high reputation and many people come to eat pizzas here. Pizza and beer... it's the best. You can also order appetizer plate with Pizza Bianca (pizza without sauce). It's baked dough with garlic, oregano and olive oil. Buon appetito!!

What's the meaning of the name of this restaurant "Pe Pen"?

The ex owner came from the Emilia Romagna region and his name was Giuseppe. In the Emilia Romagna area the nickname of Giuseppe is "Pepen". Many Italian restaurants have a name of the owner or the founder. I love this tradition because there is a good warm feeling. Now the owner of this restaurant is Francesco. He is always busy working around the hall with waiters.

I recommend, "Ristorante Pizzeria Pe Pen"!

Their summer terraces have a lovely good atmosphere. It gets crowded at night (especially weekends) easily. The enoteca has a fashionable counter. I am happy to wait there while drinking a glass of aperitif.

from AMO ITALY