Pieruli - Gardone riviera

Very pleasant welcome by the waitresses. Good quality and great taste for the meat ravioli with sage butter, the citrus marinated salmon and the pan-seared tunna. The octopus salad would have been more interesting if it had been grilled for my taste. Good wine. Nice amuse-bouches and kind touch with the sangria offered at the end.

Food made with care, and the pizza was lovely, with fresh mozzerala and jambon. Definately recommend when you pass by, but it’s off the beaten track :

We wanted a local restaurant with home made pasta. our hotel recommended this place and we were not disappointed. Set up in the hills be sure to look at the views across Lake Garda as you go up. It had rained quite heavily so when we arrived, our table wasn't ready as some diners had moved inside. not a problem, we were offered some prosecco as we waited. it was very busy and we found out that they were 2 staff short. We were taken to our table away from the main restaurant, in fact just a table for 2 near the bar. However, the owner of the restaurant, Oscar, came over and introduced himself and apologised for the delay. he couldn't have been nicer or friendlier. He explained the dishes on the menu and helped us with our request for authentic Italian cooking. The food was superb and the pasta dishes probably the best I have ever tasted. Lots of pizzas which looked nice but the home made soup and pasta dishes were delightful and so tasty. As was the homemade bread and the Fuochi wine recommended by Oscar. We shared a Tirimasui (we don't usually eat a sweet) which was divine and washed down with a local dessert wine courtesy of Oscar. We had wonderful evening and will definitely return. Probably need to book as lots of locals in the restaurant )a good sign).

This was the best food we had on this particular trip to Lombardy and maybe some of the best food we ever had in Italy. We arrived right at two in the afternoon when the kitchen normally shuts down but they were willing to serve us lunch as long as we didn’t want pizza as the pizza oven had already shut down. There are outdoor tables on a pretty patio out back. My companion ordered ravioli stuffed with wood fired meat I think it was boar). Delicious smokey meaty stuffing complimented by sage and butter sauce. I had grilled prawns, artichoke hearts and potatoes. Really great too with all elements grilled at very high heat. Prawns had their heads intact but had been peeled and intestinal tract removed. So great attention to detail. For dessert we shared a large portion of homemade hazelnut gelato. The nuts had been ground coarsely so it had a delightful sandy texture. Prices cheaper than the run of the meal cooking at the lakefront restaurants near the resorts. It’s worth the jaunt up to San Michele for the exquisite cooking. Take the 005 bus from in front of the Grande Hotel Gardone if you don’t have a hire car. It’s a picturesque 20 minute ride up the mountain. Just be warned that the 005 does not have its number displayed, doesn’t always run on time, and looks like a white minivan or shared taxi. If a large white van pulls up at the bus stop, ask if it is going to San Michele. Incidentally a nice spot for a walk.

After last year‘s visits we‘ve been surprised to see a very different restaurant from what the Pieroli used to be. You should notice that most comments on tripadvisor refer to the old, cheap and down to earth rural restaurant. Today it is different: the whole interior has had a major makeover and it is now a warm and welcoming place with big wooden tables, a nice selection of wines and interesting high-quality Italian food with a twist. The owner of the restaurant is proud of his food and likes to explain a menu that features both, classic pizza from a wood oven and more sophisticated food. The presentation was nice and the quality of the food and sides (e.g. self made bread, local olive oil) was very good. The mid-range price level is absolutely justified for what you get. Definitely one to come back to! Thanks!