“Sbecolar”, the alternative choice of how and where to eat in Verona
There are some points during the day (in particular before lunch and dinner) in which you are hungry, but not so hungry and you just want to taste something to accompany the aperitif.
So what do you do? You “sbecoli” to appease your hunger. Sbecolar in the veronese dialect stands for tasting and sampling and is a great alternative to how to eat in Verona. I have to warn you though. You often end up tasting so much that the “sbecola” replaces the complete meal!
Nevertheless, what does it means “sbelocar” in Verona?
For the Veronese, sbecolar has a much deeper meaning than the easy “Taste some appetizers” and it is related to the local culture.
In my opinion, it is worth highlighting that:
- First of all, it means being in company.
Sbecolar is the right occasion to have a chat with friends over a good glass of wine or a spritzer. You talk and eat a little something, talk and take a sip, talk and enjoy life.
- It means to accompany the aperitif time
Since the concept of aperitif is part of the Italian tradition and considering that drinking on an empty stomach might not be a wise choice, some delicious treats are the ideal medicine to combine with an aperitif and trick your hunger a little bit.
- It means having a complete dinner… and never getting to the real one!
Oh yes … sometimes time flies between one appetizer and the next and you end up having already dined without realizing it. This is why “sbecolar” is agreat alternative to how and what to eat when in Verona.
- It means doing something typical in Verona
Since the city offers strolls and historical paths among various monuments, you may need to take a break and the “sbecolio” is the perfect excuse to rest and relax, like a true Veronese since it is a daily ritual for them.
If the aperitif in the city is sacred tradition, the “Sbecolar” is essential.
Where to eat in Verona for “sbelocar”?
Luckily, there are many places to chose from since nowadays most of the bars offer this service thanks to the rising number of people who enjoy the aperitif hour . In the city centre, you will find a wide choice of bars, all within walking distance so you can try more than one, because they are close to each other.
My advice, as a Veronese doc, is to try at least one of these two below.
Osteria Del Bugiardo: sample with a good glass of wine
It is located in Corso Porta Borsari, in the full centre, adjacent to Piazza Erbe. If you happen to pass by during peak hours, you notice it immediately because there are always people out in the street with a glass in hand, even in the coldest temperatures.
The place, not so large, is very welcoming, well-furnished and gives you the idea of the typical local tavern. The fact that the environment is comfortable is already the first step to appreciate even more what they serve you.
You can choose from a series of wines of their production since they have a wine cooperative of property, called “Cantina Buglioni”. To “Sbecolar” you can combine two characteristic dishes of this tavern:
– Breadsticks with prosciutto: so tender that it melts in your mouth,
– Tartine: they have a good variety of different flavors to satisfy your apettite.
You can also try the menu of the day if you want a more hearty local style meal.
Osteria Caffè Monte Baldo: refined cicchetto tasting
Located in via Rosa, also, in this case, a short distance from Piazza Erbe.
In addition to having a part used as a restaurant, immediately at the entrance, there is a small room reserved for those who just want to have an aperitif.
Their speciality is undoubtedly the cicchetto (that is, the tartine). For those not familiar with this, it consists of a slice of baguette bread that you put on top everything edible! You can find dozens and dozens of different combinations, from meat to fish, from vegetables to the most refined flavours.
Let the staff advise you on the “top” tastes of the day, which may vary from time to time.
Cicchetti must be savoured along with a glass of local wine or aperitif. It is the ideal place to taste different flavours and have a chat in the meantime.
Conclusion: in Verona first you sbecoli and then, maybe, you eat
Now that you have learned the term “sbecolar”, you just have to try. For us Veronese, the most desired moment of the day is precisely that of an aperitif because it makes us stay in company, free of all thoughts.
When you “sbecoli” you can say you have done something truly traditional. I would assimilate it to the same concept that applies in Spain to “tapas”.
When you are done with “sbecolar” and you still want to walk (given the full stomach!), you can directly leave the bars and take a walk to admire the beauty that the historic centre offers.
In Verona, the surprises never end.
