Il Desco

For more than 40 years, this refined, elegant restaurant housed in a Renaissance-style palazzo in the heart of Verona and embellished with beautiful works of art has been the city’s “drawing room”, making it the perfect choice for a special occasion. The menu showcases renowned classic recipes created by talented chef Elia Rizzo, who has now been replaced by son Matteo in the kitchen. Most of the dishes are created by Matteo and have a light, fresh flavour (the scallops in a Mediterranean tandoori masala are superb), although there are also many of his father’s signature dishes on the menu, such as the memorable butter and mascarpone mousse served with bread at the beginning of the meal. The interesting “Capitolo 4” tasting menu explores traditional, regional flavours and includes some of the restaurant’s iconic dishes spanning the period from when it opened in 1982 to the current day.

• Housed in a Renaissance-style palazzo with an art-filled, formal dining room
• Family kitchen handover, with Matteo Rizzo leading after founder Elia Rizzo
• Capitolo 4 tasting menu that tracks signature dishes from 1982 to today
• ‘Never more than three’ rule for combined ingredients

Signature Ingredients

• Mascarpone and butter, including a butter and mascarpone mousse served with bread
• Scallops, featured in a spiced preparation
• Seasonal regional produce built into tasting-menu sequences

Menu Summary

Fine-dining tasting menus and a la carte in central Verona, with an emphasis on clarity and ingredient-led plates. The Capitolo 4 tasting menu focuses on regional flavours and revisits the restaurant’s iconic dishes across its history. A house rule, ‘never more than three’, keeps combinations tight and readable.