663513 Fri Oct 30 08:51:05 -0700 2009 2 58 Italy 0 5142849 Dear Joe, writing to thank you for your recommendations- they were all amazing! We had a fabulous lunch at Il Redotto, enjoyed the cheese guy in Assolo, but boy, did we love this special place in Verona that you have recommended- I think it was one of the best dinners of our lives. The ambiance, the food, the wine, the location- SUPERB! They served these homemade open raviolis with grand padano cheese and truffles that just sent us to seventh heaven. Thank you and please keep us going to these special places! Maybe you can write a book? Fri Oct 30 08:51:05 -0700 2009 21854 galka 1 5145044 Please, remind us of the names of the recommended places. Nice to get this wow report. Sat Oct 31 09:22:21 -0700 2009 5142849 12522 glbtrtr 1 5148159 Wow!!! Thank you galka, I sincerely appreciate your nice words! Really, really appreciate your trying the places that I have so many fond memories of. For those reading this the Michelin starred restaurant in Verona-which is my favorite in all of Italy-is Osteria La Fontanina. http://www.ristorantelafontanina.com/eng/ristorante.htm It is virtually unknown by the international press with little mention in any of the guidebooks. I've used Verona or Soave as a base for business for almost 30 years and over time have tried a great many different restaurants. Ten or so years ago I first discovered this incredible restaurant and have returned many times since. I've written about it on here but I think it's Verona location falls a little bit off of many people's radar since Verona is not the destination that, say, Venice is. Still, as many people will stay elsewhere and visit Venice for a daytrip I've stated in Venice and visited Osteria La Fontanina for dinner. It's worth the trip. Thank you again, galka! Sun Nov 01 20:31:03 -0800 2009 5142849 12689 Joe H