By Hazel Lubbock
Italian chef Andrea Mantovani has cooked at Harry's Bar in Venice, the Four Seasons Hotel Milan and Les Deux Salons in London. Now he has opened his own trattoria in Soho, Mele e Pere, where he serves adaptations of recipes he used to cook at home with his grandmother in his native Verona.
Here, he guides us around his favourite places in the city, where he still thinks he is at home.
What kind of restaurants do you like to eat when you're in Verona? "I like to eat in modest trattorias and restaurants; in the summer, most serve delicious cured meats like the San Daniele prosciutto I have on the menu at Mele e Pere. "
Which area is best for eating out? 'Piazza Bra is the largest square in Verona, with many cafes nearby. There are also regular opera performances during the summer. "
What regional dishes should you absolutely try? 'Risotto; we grow a lot of rice just outside Verona, so it is used a lot in main meals. Bollito misto is a popular stew dish of beef and chicken boiled in broth and served with a bread sauce. And the cured meats are notoriously tasty. "
The best restaurant with a view? 'Teodorico Re (1 Piazzale Castel San Pietro) is located at the top of the city, and has a fantastic view both day and night; at night it is nice to see the city lit up. There’s a big terrace which is perfect for al fresco dining in summer. "
Where’s best for a romantic meal? "There are so many great restaurants in the amphitheatre in the centre of Verona. My favourite is the restaurant Il Desco (7 Via Dietro San Sebastiano). It serves simple, traditional dishes and in summer you can eat in the piazza. The atmosphere is very romantic. "
Where would you take the family? 'Agriturismo Corte Poli (17 via Mambrotta) is a simple restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, and is a great place to spend the whole afternoon eating a long Sunday lunch.'
And if you really want to impress? '12 Apostoli (3 Corticella San Marco). The restaurant is one of the oldest and most charismatic in the city and serves very traditional dishes. The chef comes out of the kitchen to greet every single dinner. "
Apples and Pears, 46 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1 (020 7096 2096; www.meleepere.co.uk)
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