Il Desco

A romantic culinary cruise…

Fall in love again and cruise through a romantic journey filled with dishes made with love, lore and the luxury of life. Follow the road to Verona and discover the distinct yellow awning on Via Dietro San Sebastiano 7, Verona (VR) and walk into Il Desco.

Unassuming and modest, the Il Desco evolves over an ancient Palazzo with grand furnishings and romantic settings. Enjoy a lavish feast of excellent service, ancient dishes and a complete repertoire of a wonderful culinary experience.

Wander through the Veneto region steeped in a mysterious history with enchanting villas, beautiful countryside and awesome architecture. Surrounded by a vista of churches, the Dolomites, fascinating markets, an ancient amphitheatre, the ambience is charged with a blend of old traditional cuisine with an innovative flair. Let your adventurous palate begin its journey through the art of fine dining. Sit down and admire a lavish interior whose walls are adorned with fabulous oil paintings mirroring the traditional style in lovely gilded mirrors. Meet the sculptor of creative cuisine, Chef Elia Rizzo and his charming wife, Ana, who guides and translates as you go through an extensive menu.

Working in tandem with Nature and the traditional nature of Verona, Chef Elia Rizzo holds sway in his culinary kingdom assisted by a number of talented staff. Inspired by Nature and the seasonal products, Il Desco displays a versatile menu with Guinea fowl with a sauce of chocolate and balsamic vinagre on a bed of mashed Jerusalem artichokes, Sea bass, with veal sweetbreads, oyster sauce and black truffle, Beef cheeks in a sauce of cinnamon and cloves, Risotto with celeriac and sweetbread ragout and Shrimp purée. The philosophy of staying close to the gifts of nature is evident in Chef Elia’s cuisine as he whips up a Potato pie with mushrooms and black truffles, Calamari salad with shallots, Tortellini with sea bass, Risotto with radicchio and truffles and Tagliolini with fresh mint, lemon, and oranges.

Set in a noble Palazzo which mirrors the fine lifestyle of the past, Chef Elia paints a dazzling reflection of the secrets of ancient traditional cuisine with ‘nuova cucina’ (nouvelle cuisine) in the deep cool kitchen at Il Desco. Sit in the lap of luxury and survey a royal menu with hot from the oven bread rolls, olive oil gelato with a tomato coulis, Venison with pearl onions, Salmon on a bed of lentils, Papardelle with sea snails, Pork ravioli soup with shrimp, Stuffed pigeon and Salt cod. Enjoy a ravishing dish of Zuppa di pesce all’aceto balsamico with Soave Classico Brognoligo Cecilia Beretta and wander into the realms of a dream world. Using fresh from the garden of Nature ingredients, Il Desco serves everything with a refreshing air. Inhale the aroma of the Veneto region of North-Eastern Italy and realize that you have in front of you the best in cuisine blended with a traditional past.

Surround yourself with the epitome of luxury in Il Desco which is rated as the third best restaurant in Verona with a 2-Star Michelin rating. Decorated with fine tapestries, wood paneling and an awesome caisson ceiling, the restaurant offers a 7-course meal drawing to its dynamic center, famous gourmets and connoisseurs from all over the world. Come and sit among the intelligentsia of the culinary and the wine world and enjoy a versatile menu with entrées like Tagliolini al nero di seppia con piccoli legumi e seppioline (Pasta with fresh legumes and baby cuttlefish) and Fish Soup, main courses with Veal and ginger with leeks and fried sage, Petto di faraone con purea di topinambur which is Breast of Guinea fowl in a Jerusalem artichoke sauce, Escalope of Liver in Recioto and pear sauce, Scampi and Pea Ravioli and a warm salad with Marinated lobster or you can choose Suckling pig flavored with mint, an endearing and succulent dish.

Serving the finest of wines from a vast cellar, Il Desco displays an entire theater of wines from all over the globe including local and regional wines. Go on the sweet route and indulge in a dessert of Melon Slices with Port Granita and Pancakes with ricotta and tropical fruits. Continue your love affair with peach juice with sparkling Prosecco and live in the dazzling world of Il Desco. Enjoy your sojourn in Il Desco which features among the top ten restaurants in the Gambero Rosso list and re-live the fantasy of the past.

Let Elia Rizzo guide you through a royal affair…