d & g Patisserie (Selvazzano Dentro, PD)
Considering that the trips outside the city are mostly done on weekends, this is the perfect address to have an excellent brunch in the name of haute cuisine and haute patisserie (at a more than moderate price! Forget the prices of Milanese brunches ). The master pastry chef Denis Dianin and the chef Andrea Valentinetti (who comes no less than Le Calandre and Cracco Peck), in addition to the now well-known pastry shop, have created a brunch proposal that, personally, I found really good and tasty. The brunch consists of a small tray composed of different elements, sweet and savory, the combination of which has been designed to create balance in flavors, pleasure on the palate and to make the right nutritional combination to start the day, even in terms of calories. Let us say a little bit of everything we get off the hook. The elements change approximately every month and a half, and follow the seasonality of the products. I will not easily forget the baked carrot with pumpkin cream and taleggio cheese, nor the salty brioche (strictly homemade) with turkey, crispy bacon, egg cream and tomato confit! But the real surprise was certainly the panettone made in vasocottura (which they recently presented and patented). Thanks to the vacuum and the cooking pot, this panettone can be stored much longer than the traditional panettone and maintains the freshness and the right humidity unchanged. At the moment it is produced in 12 variants, one better than the other; I tasted the one with white chocolate and ginger and it was a subliminal experience. Fortunately, it will soon be possible to buy it online too! It's been a while since it becomes my new addiction.
"3 Quarti" Restaurant (Spiazzo di Grancona, VI)
If you are looking for a restaurant that is minimal and elegant in decor, but authentic in flavors… you are in the right place! This restaurant is located in the heart of the Val Liona, in the splendid panorama of the Berici Hills. It opened its doors in 2010 thanks to the courage and passion of two young chefs: Stefano Leonardi (who passed away prematurely this year) and Alberto Basso. They were joined by the sommelier Christian Danese, who selected 350 labels giving life to a wine list of rare quality. The policy of their cuisine is to combine the genuine flavors of the past with contemporary creative cuisine, and the result leaves you speechless. You can order a la carte or take a tasting menu (around 60 euros): there are meat, fish and mixed ones. They range from Acquerello rice to espresso coffee, rosemary and marinated salmon (a must since 2012) to more recent creations, such as the carbonara gnocchi with prawns and bacon or the guinea fowl salad with fried bread and "caviar" with fruits of forest, to many other exceptional dishes. Obviously, even the desserts do not disappoint expectations, always accompanied by a glass of excellent dessert wine recommended by Christian. The restaurant is very nice, with attention to the smallest details, impeccable service and truly excellent food: you will not regret it!
... then you visit
- Garden of Villa Barbarigo (open from March to November!). This exceptional example of a Baroque garden was built in the mid-1600s thanks to the Nobili Homini Barbarigo. It has about 70 statues and as many minor sculptures that integrate with architecture, streams, waterfalls, fountains, ponds, and water jokes, among countless trees and shrubs, on more than 10 hectares of surface. Inside the complex you will get lost among the boxwood labyrinth, the symbolic Cave of the Hermit, the Rabbit Island and the Time Monument. A magical place, out of time. It was voted the third most beautiful garden in Europe in 2007..you do it!
- Arquà Petrarca. The ancient village of Arquà Petrarca owes its name (as you can guess) to the great Francesco Petrarca, who spent the last 10 years of his life here. It has been included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, and it deserves it all. Obviously the fulcrum of the visit to the medieval village is represented by the House of Petrarca (fourteenth century) and his tomb. Petrarca's house is now a museum where you can visit the study, the library and, among the rare objects familiar to the poet, his chair and the legendary stuffed cat: very interesting!
- This. Not to be confused with Villa d'Este (which is instead in my part, near Rome), Este is a town of Roman origin, full of historical evidence from all eras. Among the various monuments, the beautiful Carrarese Castle with its towers stands out (even visually, when you get there). Immediately below do not miss the Villa Vigna Contarena, one of the most beautiful villas in the Veneto region. Widely used for weddings and private events, today the Villa is owned by a family (of poracci own ..), who has made available to tourists and visitors some rooms for rent for holidays. right! PS Poets of the caliber of George Byron, Percy Shelley and Ugo Foscolo have passed through Este .. how to say ..
- Montagnana. More secluded than the aforementioned places, Montagnana is famous for its medieval walls, which are truly impressive! The walls are one of the most distinguished and best preserved examples of medieval military architecture in Europe. It too is part of the most beautiful villages in Italy. In addition to the walls, climb the Mastio (a 40-meter tower) to have a magnificent view of the town and take a tour of the inner village, the Rocca degli Alberi and the Castle of San Zeno.
Where to sleep: Hotel
