Caffè Fantoni in Villafranca, Verona, where the owner created something to celebrate every illustrious enterprise. To name but one: “l’Acqua di Fiume” – Fiume (“river”) Water – to honour D’Annunzio.
This is the story of Commendator Fantoni, the highly creative pastry-cook friend of Trilussa, Fogazzaro, and Renato Simoni, whom he brought together with economists and artists for huge teas and for his delicious “sfogliatine”. The Caffè has accompanied the history of Italy with its sweets and desserts, including the “Biscotti Umberto” – a tribute to the prince who fought at Quadrato, the “Torta della Pace” for the Villafranca armistice of 1859, and “Acqua di Fiume” to celebrate D’Annunzio’s feat in 1919, which still today gives the little chocolates dedicated the Vate their unique flavour. Beautifully restored, it is a leading cultural venue. Four generations.
