The dishes in the restaurant of the Catullo hotel are delightful, as is the price

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One of the hallmarks of dining at Hotel Catullo’s restaurant in Sirmione, Italy is the view, with fabulous sunsets almost every night. (Nancy Montgomery / Stars and Stripes)

I have been on vacation in Sirmione on Lake Garda for years, enjoying swimming, lazing around and eating out. But this summer, I found out that I had done the last part wrong.

Lake Garda is full of good restaurants, all of which serve pretty much the same things: fresh fish and shellfish, various pastas, grilled meats, pizzas and, for the Germans, cutlets. I had always liked to pick one and walk around to get there, and was almost always happy with my dinner.

But this year, I noticed that I was spending over 30 euros ($ 35) for a modest meal consisting of a main course, a salad and two small glasses of wine, as well as bottled water. mandatory and cover charges.

This time I went to eat at my hotel, where previously I only received breakfast. I had heard from friends that the Hotel Catullo had wonderful food. The setting, on an arbor covered terrace a few yards from the lake, with a magnificent view of the sunset, was more charming than most of the other restaurants on the island. But what made the difference is the price: 25 euros.

Pasta with cherry tomatoes is one of the many dishes available at the restaurant of Hotel Catullo in Sirmione. (Nancy Montgomery / Stars and Stripes)

A second course of grilled fish and shellfish at Hotel Catullo in Sirmione, Italy, where diners can order a la carte or, if they are hotel guests, can choose the more economical and equally set menu delicious. (Nancy Montgomery / Stars and Stripes)

The scallops and Catalan-style prawns are part of the à la carte menu at Hotel Catullo and cost 17 euros. The course menu for hotel guests at 25 euros is the best deal. (Nancy Montgomery / Stars and Stripes)

Choosing to dine at Hotel Catullo from the restaurant menu means dessert, like this éclairs, is included. (Nancy Montgomery / Stars and Stripes)

Now I received an appetizer, a first course, a second course, a salad and a dessert. There were always two or three choices for the first and second course, which varied daily.

One evening, the aperitif consisted of slices of veal with tuna sauce followed by a choice of pasta with a cheese sauce or with monkfish and pumpkin cream. After that came either the grouper in tomato sauce, the pork in red wine sauce or a plate of salami and cheese. The dessert was a peach mousse.

Over the evenings, I ate grilled octopus, osso bucco, pasta, fish from the lake, fried zucchini flowers, éclairs and other delicacies. I had a better and more diverse dining experience than I had at other restaurants. In addition, the water was free and the wine, although not, was poured with the more generous hand of the owner Fabio.

I also ordered Catullo’s a la carte menu, once each for lunch and dinner, and I was also satisfied with the high quality dishes: black truffle pasta, shrimp and avocado salad, grilled scallops and shrimp. These meals were much more expensive, but they were also worth it.

The Catullo Hotel in Sirmione, Italy serves dinners on a covered patio near Lake Garda, where the sun still shines at 7 p.m. in summer. (Nancy Montgomery / Stars and Stripes)