Off the beaten path, near the coast of the North Sea in Lower Saxony, Germany, is a little village by the name of Otterndorf.  Otterndorf is accessible by route 73 or by train.  It is in the Cuxhaven district of Lower Saxony.  It has a charming city center with a fountain and fairytale character statuettes.  It was a cool crisp Spring morning, just right for sightseeing, but a tad cool for eating outside but we bundled up and braved it.  We decided to eat lunch at the Osteria Toscana Otterndorf where I had a delicious gnocchi dish.