IL Portico In Verona

10/05/2025: Our first time in Italy and Garda. The view from the restaurant is outstanding. Watching the sun sink behind the mountains leaving the sky painted in saffron and copper is truly a sight to behold. The setting and the beautifull restoration of this magnificent building set the scene but unfortunately for us that was where the fairytale ended. To say we were treated like second class citizens would be too polite. Yes we are visitors and with poor italian language skills but we tried to converse as best we could. The manager was all to busy looking after the patrons with obvious wealth to spend any time with us apart from looking frustrated that we taking up his time. The waiter although pleasant, unfortunately appeared nervous and out of his depth. The main reason to visit such establishments is for what you would only expect to be exquisite culinary fair. Unfortunately this was not thr case. Well presented but laking in flavour or execution, poor cuts of meat produced a tough texture. The scarcely accompanying vegetables were overcooked and laking any flavour. Dessert was pleasant but nothing really outstanding. For 150Euro I expected something better. I hope we just caught them on a bad night, however if you promote yourself as a fine dinning experience then that's what you should provide. Wealth, status or class should not be a requirement for which to be treated with respect or curtesy. We all pay the same and should be provided with the same service. I am disappointed to be writing this review as the expectation for a memorable evening out weighed the overall experience.

29/03/2025: Pranzo con il Club Viaggiatori Gourmet e posso dire che abbiamo scoperto questo posto a conduzione familiare con una vista meravigliosa sul lago di Garda! Il cuoco parte della famiglia a soli 22 anni ci ha preparato dei piatti 5 stelle ! Piatti della tradizione locale un po’ rivisitati ma spettacolari! Anche il sommelier molto preparato, un piacere ascoltarlo ! Grazie a tutti e non vediamo l’ora di ritornare ! 🙂