Peter Brunel, the restaurant where cuisine becomes a work of art

In Arco, nestled amidst the mountains of Trentino and caressed by the Lake Garda breeze

Art, poetry and, ça va sans dire, top quality cuisine. These are what guests appreciate most about the cosy, elegant “Peter Brunel” gourmet restaurant, in Arco. It is here, where the Mediterranean air of Lake Garda mixes with wind blowing down from the mountains, that the star-studded chef decided to narrate his story, drawing on his talent, creativity and passion for cuisine and the Trentino.

These have contributed to the restaurant’s distinctive, innovative ambience and the culinary experiences here are a full immersion in the world of Peter Brunel, the Trentino chef from Val di Fassa. It’s like going to the home of a dear friend, who won’t let you leave without being sure he has done everything possible to make you feel at ease.

It is here that the star-studded chef decided to narrate his story, drawing on his talent, creativity and passion for cuisine

A restaurant inspired by Depero, Munari e D’Annunzio

The focus on visual arts is clearly visible as soon as you enter the restaurant. The reception desk and bar are inspired by the works of Fortunato Depero, the futurist painter who was born in Val di Non, while the chairs and tables reflect the shapes of designer Bruno Munari’s creations. A tribute to two great artists, from whom Peter, who personally took care of the furnishing concept, drew inspiration.

Visual art that merges with culinary arts, as in the case of the open pastry atelier in the restaurant, framed in a gilded frame. This is the realm of Loretta Fanella, who in 2007 was named “Best Italian Confectioner” and today works with Peter Brunel in this ambitious project.

... as in the case of the open pastry atelier in the restaurant, framed in a gilded frame

When you sit down at the table and open the menu, you are welcomed by the famous motto of the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio: “Dare the undareable” (Osa l'inosabile). An invitation for those who create the restaurant’s dishes, but also for those who choose them. Moreover, the names of cocktails you can sip in the restaurant’s bar are inspired by the “Poet” (D’Annunzio), who on the shores of Lake Garda built his house-museum: the Vittoriale degli Italiani.

Along the same lines, the more attentive diner can search for clues that Peter Brunel has left here and there in his restaurant. For instance? The kitchen floor and the arrangement of its furniture are clearly inspired by the Vittoriale’s kitchen.

The kitchen floor and the arrangement of its furniture are clearly inspired by the Vittoriale’s kitchen

A creative, down-to-earth cuisine redolent of Trentino fragrances

Boundless creativity and a desire to dare, coupled with the typical Trentino trait of being extremely “down-to-earth”. Besides, as soon as you sit down at the table, you immediately understand that there is a clear focus on region. You see it from the small olive trees from Lake Garda that are used as a centrepiece instead of the classic bouquet of flowers, or when you leaf through the Tasting Menu, featuring vegetables, fish and olives from Lake Garda. The tasting menu obviously includes one of the great classic dishes of chef Peter Brunel: potato spaghetti served with pesto.

You can also choose the Experience Menu, with dishes that enhance Peter Brunel’s culinary and plating creativity in dishes that arouse diners’ senses, like the spectacular “Remembering Lofoten”, a dainty, tasty composition, based on marinated anchovies; the delicately flavoured and smoothly textured “Risotto with cabbager”, or the excellent “suckling pig, scampi and vermouth”, paired with a glass of Vino Santo, the “Passito wine of Passito wines”. An unusual pairing, which though is extremely enticing and mildly daring.

Besides, one must “dare the undareable” to cross the boundaries of usual fare and transform a dish into a work of art with the fragrant scent of Trentino. And Peter Brunel knows this.