La Pergola Restaurant & Prosciutteria
While I was on my weekend wine tasting adventure there were times when food was absolutely necessary. Luckily, this was not a difficult problem to solve. On the edge of the Euganean Hills you will find the small town of Arqua Petrarca in the providence of Padova. This little restaurant is affordable, offers portions that are filling, has nice staff, and has a view of the valley that is magnificent if you are sitting at the correct table on the open air patio in the back.
The restaurant specializes in Prosciutto, loosely translated it’s ham. Some of the prosciutto specialties are:
Prosciutto cotto al Tartufo Nero
Prosciutto del Kaiser
Prosciutto di Montagnana
Prosciutto d’oca
Prosciutto di cinghiale
Soppressa
Other specialtes not related to prosciutto include:
Nidi di patate al ragu
Fettucce caserecce
Carpaccio
Tagliolini al petto d’oca
Fagottini alle pere con taleggio e rucola
The town itself is also intriguing and I suggest spending at least half a day there if you have the time. Try the local liquor, Brodo di Giuggiole (Jujube broth). It’s a little sweet, but if it’s chilled very cold it’s perfect on a hot summer day. Or, you can serve it at room temperature for a nice cordial in the winter.
If you would like to contact me directly about this, or any other event in Venice or northern Italy, visit me HERE.