Remember we told you that Verona is beautiful and that if you go you should eat at Al Pompiere? Well, if we recommend something is because we truly think is worth a visit! A couple of weeks ago, during our holidays in Italy, we decided to spend a day in this charming town and we ate at Al Pompiere, of course! This trattoria is placed in a tiny street in the city center, quite close to the famous Juliette Balcony. Although that day Verona was riddled with tourists that little alley was quiet, lonely and full of Italian charm. They have a terrace, but the atmosphere inside the restaurant was so perfect and inviting, the smell that came from the kitchen was so delicious and the staff so welcoming that we decided to eat inside.

What I love about this restaurant is that they have a lovely menu, but they also offer an amazing selection of Italian cold meats and cheeses that would make an amazing dinner too. So if you like, you can just order a nice cheese or cold meat platter and pour it down with an excellent soave wine. You can see the cold cuts in one of the corners of the main dining room and the the cheese counter next to it. If you follow us on instagram (@theslowpace) you already saw a picture of the cheese counter. Heaven!.

After a refreshing aperitivo and a merciless attack to the bread basket we enjoyed a fantastic dish of meat each. Thin-sliced beef with rosemary oil and roast potatoes for me…

And beef cheeck with Amarone sauce and mashed potatoes for her…

They were an explosion of pure natural flavours beautifully and delicately seasoned. It reminded me of my grandmothers kitchen. In this trattoria the produce, the traditional recipes and the strong authentic flavours are the most important things. We left our plates empty, of course.

But the best was yet to come. Dessert. There are lots of restaurants who forget that usually everything comes dow to dessert. The nicest memory, the “oh, that was the perfect ending” sensation, that happy sweet moment… But not here. In this restaurant we had the two most amazing desserts, home made, rich, succulent and fragrant.

Warm peach pie with macaroons and almond ice cream. It was still warm when the waiter brought it to the table. It was all about contrast. The pie was crunchy but the peaches were incredibly tender, it was warm but the cold almond ice cream gave it the perfect temperature in each bite and the presentation was fantastic too: the bright orange facing the soft beige of the ice cream. Pure poetry. But I didn’t choose that dessert. I could have, but I didn’t. I chose the dark chocolate “Amedei” 70% tart with vanilla Bourbon ice cream. It was absolutely the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had in my whole life. And let me tell you: I have eaten lots of chocolate cakes. Lots.

It doesn’t look as amazing as it tasted. It was unexpectedly light, it just melted in your mouth and the texture was surprisingly soft. The chocolate flavour was poweful but not overly bitter. It was just perfectly sweet. Not too sweet. I really don’t know how to describe it. It was perfection. The ice cream was the best companion and freshened the palate. I wanted to order a second piece but I didn’t. I regret it now. I should have!

Al Pompiere is one of the best restaurants in Verona and I’m sure you will love it. It’s a bit pricey, but the quality of the products, the real Italian cuisine and the hospitality of the staff are the best, so it’s worth it. If you want to go for dinner, you should book a table, don’t forget that it’s a very renowned restaurant in the city and a local favourite. Al pompiere V.lo Regina d’Ungheria, 5 37121 Verona Tel. +39 0458030537 [email protected]