The Veneto & Venice Restaurant Guide

Ristorante da Riccardo

Via Val D'Assa 31/33 Carrè (Vicenza)

Il Ristorante da Riccardo has earned a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Vicenza and the surrounding area; in fact, from Venice, Italy, all the way to Lake Garda, you will be hard-pressed to find a better restaurant.

Riccardo and Annalisa Giaretta have been running Ristorante da Riccardo, which is around the corner from the house of my mamma, for what seems like forever, and the reputation of the restaurant continues to grow. The restaurant has been a labor of love and a testament to their dedication to preserving the authentic flavors of the local cuisine.

They are fully invested and deeply rooted in the local community, and this is reflected in their commitment to supporting local producers. By sourcing ingredients from nearby farms and suppliers, the restaurant not only champions sustainable practices but also nurtures the local economy.

The atmosphere is a sort of refined rustic. As you step through the elegant doors, you are welcomed by vintage photographs and wood-paneled walls.

The restaurant's warm lighting and comfortable seating create an inviting setting, ideal for intimate dinners, family gatherings, or celebratory occasions. From the moment you walk through the door up until the final buonaseras are said, the team ensures that you feel as if you've made their evening as special as they've made yours.

What about the food? Well, nowhere else around here can beat the Ristorante da Riccardo for fabulous Vicentine classics. The best of Vicenza and Veneto country cooking, combined with the more sophisticated dishes of the cities The sommelier offers expert advice on matching without any of that tiresome snobbishness I hate, and the wine list includes some of the best of the local Veneto wines. With the Veneto being one of Italy's top wine-producing regions, the wines are always going to be superb.

What to eat? There are about ten dishes that are truly superb, so unless you have an enormous appetite, you will need to visit at least twice. The other problem is that desserts are fabulous, and you'll need to leave some space for them too. Some of the top ten dishes include Sorpressa (a local salami I love), Baccala alla Vicentina, Branzino in Salt, Homemade Gnocchi, and Gargati co'l consiero. Not all are always available; the menu changes regularly according to the seasons.

My absolute favorite, though, is the Bigoli al Mirtilo con Petto d'Oca Affumicato, Pesto di Pistacchi e Stravecchio. This captivating creation showcases the use of locally sourced blueberries, which, when combined with smoked duck breast, pistachio pesto, and aged stravecchio cheese, result in a symphony of flavors that I am totally addicted to.

Service is impeccable, and prices are very reasonable; three courses with wine and coffee shouldn’t cost you more than 55 euros a head.

Out of all the restaurants I feature, this is my favorite, and though the food is among the best in the Veneto, the restaurant is not at all pretentious. Children are always welcome, as is nearly always the case in Italy; Italians do love their bambini.

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