Food and drink
Red Bardolino is the typical wine of the eastern lake-shore. It is immensely popular, maybe unfortunately so, because this means it is produced in far too large quantities, and not always satisfactory quality. If you want to learn more, follow the “Strada del Vino”, visit wine cellars, try different wines and buy some bottles to take home. In the south-east, there are also good white wines, like Lugana, which is grown around Sirmione.
There is less wine on the western shore. Lovers of champagne will want to visit Franciacorta in the south-west, where the sparkling wine is produced by the original champagne method.
Typical south-eastern dishes are zucchini flowers filled with goat’s cheese or a regional type of pasta called “bigoli”, which is sometimes boiled in duck stock. There is more poultry on the western shore, like “petto di faraona” (breast of guinea fowl). For starters, there are the popular “tortelli di zucca”, which are little pasta pockets stuffed with pumpkin.
The Lake is not far from the sea, which means there is a definite Adriatic touch to the menus. There is also an abundance of vegetables, either fried on a grill or marinated, as a starter. The tomato is indispensable, and when you have tasted those juicy, aromatic vegetables here, either in a salad, as “caprese” (tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil) or in pasta sauces, you will never really like the hard round red things that pass for tomatoes at home again.
As far as restaurant categories are concerned, there is virtually everything, ranging from a quick slice of pizza over the counter to gourmet restaurants. The really high-class restaurants are located manly around Salò and Gargnano. You can tell the difference by simple things like salad. In a common restaurant you will get cheap salad with grated carrots and tinned sweetcorn. In a good restaurant, the salad will look and taste like fresh from the garden. What they all have in common is that salad is served without a dressing. If you’re lucky, there will be the best local olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the table, and the waiter will offer you a peppermill.
Desserts are usually sweet and very heavy. If you want to watch your weight, you should order “macedonia”, a fruit salad, or simply ask for “frutta fresca”, fresh fruit. You will hardly ever get such delicious apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums at home!
During the summer season and generally with restaurants that are more expensive it is advisable to book a table.
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