Born of water, raised in taste: our story since 1936.
From that humble start, our family has built a history of passion, tradition, and love for cooking.
From Maccacari port to Pradelle's kitchen
Our adventure began in 1936, when a modest tavern at the port of Maccacari became a landmark for the local community. It was the start of a journey guided by one constant: love for traditional cooking and local flavors.
In 1968, grandparents Dante and Luigia (known as “La Biglia”) married and started their own business, first in Le Albarelle, then in Campalano. But in 1978 they found the place to put down roots: Pradelle.
Dante, a fisherman by trade, fell in love with this spot due to the stream flowing right under the trattoria, still visible today from our veranda. There, he kept freshly caught fish alive in the "borcio", a typical wire mesh tank in the water, to cook it fresh on the spot.
As he fished daily along the banks of nearby Mantua, everyone called him "Mantoan". From this nickname (*scutmai) comes our Trattoria Dal Mantoan.
The union of typical Veronese and Mantuan cuisine
While Grandpa Dante took care of the fish, Grandma Luigia prepared and rolled out her famous fettuccine by hand every day, letting them dry on wooden boards. Her hospitality is legendary: there was always a hot dish for everyone, even when the place was already full.
Grandmother’s deep love for cooking was inherited by her youngest son, Sandro. An aspiring chef since childhood, he decided to study at the prestigious Bardolino Hotel School, winning awards in numerous competitions.
At 19, Sandro married Luana and shortly after Denise, the first of three daughters, was born.
At 25, Sandro faced a truly difficult period. The loss of both parents, mother Luigia (the “Bigia”) and father Dante, put him to the test. With great determination, he took the reins of the business, knowing he was not alone. He could count on a true family team: Luana and his in-laws Dario and Carla proved fundamental to him.
Grandpa Dario, a lifelong carpenter, left an indelible mark on the trattoria, handcrafting most of the furniture that still makes it welcoming today. Grandma Carla, who recently turned 80, remains the pillar of the business. She lovingly prepares her special dishes, such as fried sage and sweet salami, keeping traditions alive.
In the meantime, Sara and Emily were also born.
Tradition becomes event
For our family, that moment arrived when a dear friend asked Sandro to cook for his wedding. Despite initial hesitation, Sandro accepted the challenge alongside the long-standing maître d', Franco.
That first banquet was an extraordinary success and marked the start of a new, exciting adventure: catering for weddings and corporate events.
Today, this precious legacy lives and grows thanks to Denise (Sandro's daughter) and her husband Claudio, who fell in love in the kitchens of the Poggio Rusco Hotel School.
Denise, a lifelong dreamer with her sensitivity and care for detail, coordinates events and weddings to make them unforgettable. Claudio has always had a deep passion for cooking. Born in Bologna with international experience, he leads the kitchen with perfect balance: respecting traditional recipes with a contemporary and innovative touch.
A family atmosphere, wherever you wish
Today as in 1936, we continue to share that spirit, welcoming our guests as part of the family. Every occasion is handled with the same attention and passion, because our goal is to make you feel at home, carrying forward a tradition of affection, authenticity and good food.
