Walking distance to the Roman Theater and Ponte Pietra, Osteria La Fontanina has been a culinary institution in Verona for over 200 years where the local Tapparini family has presided over the property as owners since 1984. Crowned with 1-Star Michelin, the charming corner space on a downhill, one-way street is easily passed up on first attempt to find it. <br /><br />A façade concealed by heavy greenery and flowers features a charming summertime patio popular with the pre-and-post opera crowd. Inside, a quintessential Italian farmhouse in thoroughly urban Verona is lined in the family's vast collection of antiques and collectibles with walls overflowing with framed mirrors, black-and-white pictures and eclectic bric-a-brac that could easily spiral out of control onto an Italian episode of Hoarders.
The Food
La Fontanina is known for its traditionally prepared fish and meat dishes that is accompanied by extensive regional wine list. Tasting Menus include a fish and meat option with ala carte specialties of salad of roasted quail with bacon, four scallops of varying sauces and foie gras served in a gracious terrine. Pasta course is the best in Verona, home-style interpretations of parppardelle with duck ragu, pumpkin and hen-stuffed ravioli and creamy risotto with foie a and caramelized oranges. Main course is from land and sea with suckling pig, leg of lamb with black truffle and ingenious twist on a tuna sandwich with burrata and artichoke sauce.
Last Word
200-year old restaurant features eclectic farmhouse experience with new Italian cuisine that combines polar flavors to create sublime gourmet dishes.
