Lago di Garda Restaurants

it was just after we left the lake at the way back home a few km north of the lake and the town Arco. We thought first only about a pizza to save time and not to come home to Telfs too late. We stopped at the parking of a supermarket which was already closed but the parking full of local cars so we entered the restaurant/pizzeria there. We found the last free table in the spacious rooms and when we saw the menu and what the other guests were eating we abandoned the idea of the pizza and started a great local culinarian adventure which was at the end only 38 EUR for both of us everything included.

Favorite Dish: I forgot the names of most of the dishes but I remember that I had a great fish soup and one of the other dishes had the unforgettable name "strangolapreti" which Lothar translated as "strangle the clerics", a wish quite understandable 300 years ago in an area where the church, in particular the bishop who had a romantic palace for his maitresse nearby, extorted all the money from the Trentino people...

I had two of my three nicest Italian restaurant experiences in the Trentino area in some distance from the lake (the third one was in the Trentino, too!). Unfortunately I have forgotten the names of the one in Nago (I hope my friend Lothar still knows it) but I can try to describe it. See below.. Both restaurants have in common that they are mainly visited by locals. For all, the atmosphere, the friendly staff and first of all the food I have only one word: GREAT.

Favorite Dish: I can not name a specific dish, all was excellent and Lothar and me shared all what we ordered so we both could taste in each place six or so courses: If you do not understand the menu (it is mostly in Italian and partly in German but not in English) it is probably the best to discuss it with the waiters and to follow their suggestions. It is all good. It is in general a good idea in Italy to eat at places which are really crowded by the locals - they know why.

One entrance is on the main road, another on the back street. They have a wide covered terrace. The food is excellent.
Kid, donkey or pork stews
Excellent gnocchi della nonna
Varied antipasti with smoked trout, Sardine pate, stuffed red pepper, etc…

An assortment of cheese. Unfortunately, when I asked the young girl that had served us (obviously not a regular waiter !) to name them, she was unable to name a single one ! The first right on the top row can be a pecorino (ewe cheese) and the second a well seasoned old Parmigiano Reggiano. Sorry for the others but I can say they were excellent.

It's in Bardolino. When you enter the town, just beside the lake. I suggest you to have sea food there. They're very fresh and well cooked and delicious!! 8))
The atmosphere was very nice..

Favorite Dish: Octopus soup was interesting.. Trota I suggest you..

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I was hungry after wandering around Malcesine, and I wanted a salad, but I could only find Pizzerias or fast food. There was a strong smell of frying and burgers lingering in the air :-(

I was about to give up - I had just over an hour until the ferry left for Brenzone- when I came across a small square with tables outside an Osteria.

An Osteria is a tavern rather than a restaurant, serving wines, beers, food and snacks.

My limited experience of eating /drinking in Italian Osterias, is that they are often more atmospheric than restaurants, are good value, with the emphasis on good quality ingredients, served simply. They are often frequented by local diners, not just tourists/visitors.

I perused a menu - there was a selection of salads - and an absence of cooking fumes!!

I had to wait quite a while to be served - there was only one person serving and preparing the food, and he'd disappeared for a while, so I ventured inside, ready to place my order.

I was completely bowled over- a dark cellar like room with a very well stocked bar of wine and beers, and a food area with salads, antipasto, cheeses etc - I couldn't resist taking a couple of pics.

I ordered a salad and a beer, and sat in the sun under a parasol, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my food.

It was well worth waiting for - an attractively arranged fresh, crisp looking salad, fresh bread, balsamic vinegar and olive oil -

I don't know if the waiter/chef was the owner - (Since my return home I've found there is a web page, which says Hella Nods is the owner of this place - it doesn't sound like an Italian name, and he didn't look typically Italian)

He was a bit of a dour character, but I'd much rather come to a place with great food and atmosphere, where the staff aren't falsely cheerful - I think he let the food speak for itself!

This was the hi-light of my visit to Malcesine!

If I return to Lake Garda, I'd return to Malcesine just to visit this traditional authentic Osteria - A Great find!!!! Recommended!

Favorite Dish: My salad was just what I wanted- Good Quality, a variety of fresh ingredients, and attractively served.

The accompanying fresh brown bread, balsamic vinegar and olive oil was a bonus - I love bread dipped in these 2 condiments!

Lettuce, tomato, olives, radish, sweetcorn, grated carrots, onion all served in a bowl. This was 6.50 Euros

My draught beer was good too - cold and crisp - a German pilsner.

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I stayed in Brenzone for 4 nights and I ate here each night.

It was near to my hotel, there was a friendly atmosphere and I felt comfortable here. The food was quite good too.

The open fronted restaurant faces onto the lake. The restaurant is part of Hotel Brenzone

A mix of clientele - all ages, and different nationalities.

The staff were very friendly - all were professional and polite.

The menu was varied and printed in Italian, German and English.

One of the waiters spoke excellent English, the others had some English - which was still better than my very little Italian.

On my first night, I ordered escalope in lemon sauce from the menu - the waiter appeared to have understood, but apparently he hadn't- there was a delay in getting my order, but I was given a free aperitif.

The food each night was good. The service could be a bit hit and miss - but was always good humoured. One night I was charged for bread that I hadn't received, but another night I wasn't charged for a glass of wine!

The tradition of this restaurant was that at the end of your meal, you were offered a complimentary glass of 'Mamas Grappa' (presumably a home brewed hooch version of this local digestif). On my first night I hesitantly accepted- Years ago I'd been told by someone of their experiences of trying Grappa, and they'd described it so revoltingly, that I was expecting something disgusting - Well it was quite pleasant!

'Mama' often appeared in the restaurant - and she always had a chat with everyone there.

I'm not sure if she was the owner, or the manager, or the chef, but she was a bit of a character!

Favorite Dish: I ate here on 4 occasions. Each meal was very tasty and nicely presented.

My first night I ate Veal Escalope in a lemon sauce (10.50 Euro)- with a glass of (superior) wine (3 Euro ) and a (0.75L) bottle of carbonated water (2 Euro)
The total bill was 15.50 Euros

2nd night -
Bread - 1 Euro
Spinach gnocchi with herb sauce - 8 Euros
Carbonated water (0.75 L) 2 Euros
Glass of house wine 2.50 Euros
Tiramisu 3 Euros
Total 16.50 Euros

3rd night
Bread and water as before
1 bottle wine - (Valpolicello) which was saved for me to finish the next night - 16 euros
Perch with almonds and sage - 11 Euros
Espresso coffee 1.30 Euros
Total 31.30 Euros

4th night
Bread and coffee as before
Seafood salad -9 Euros
Total 11.30 Euros

Favorite Dish: I reintroduced myself to pizza capricciosa here and the ever-so-helpful waiter gave me interesting information on how to get the best pizza.
One tip I'll pass on to you. If you're trying to do it electrically, forget it. Pizzas and electricity don't mix.
The service was good, the food excellent and my only complaint was that smoking is allowed (like most Italian resturants) and someone was eating with their dog alongside.