Veronica's Casa di Dolce

Few things can satisfy a sweet tooth and a heat wave simultaneously.

Veronica’s Casa di Dolce (House of Sweetness) covers both bases. Between the 12 gelato specialties and the four dessert crepes, rice pudding, mascarpone and peaches and canoli cream with fresh fruit, something is sure to please.

The restaurant, an offshoot of the Lenzi family’s Terra Nostra, opened in early July. Alfredo, Matilde, David and Veronica Lenzi have worked hard to get the space ready to open this summer.

“We worked day in and day out to get everything ready to open,” Matilde said. “We were so happy we got everything done before the Fourth of July.”

The store is Matilde’s dream.

“I wanted a place that people could come and sit, enjoy themselves,” she said. “I think we have that now.”

Veronica’s, named after the Lenzis’ 11-year-old daughter, is located in the shopping center with Terra Nostra. While a store separates the two in the front, they share a common patio between, adding to the ambiance.

“People can sit outside and enjoy their food,” Matilde said.

She added that people probably will want to wait awhile to sit outside since summer currently is in full bloom.

Veronica’s is a cozy place. A colorful mural painted by Matilde depicts an Italian scene with flowers, trees and villas of a small town. It invites you to sit and linger.

Matilde created the menu. She makes the rice pudding herself, along with other items on the menu. The restaurant orders the gelato from a supplier.

“We have a wonderful supplier,” Matilde said. “The gelato is what everybody loves in Italy.”

Gelato is like ice cream, but it is denser. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at least 10 percent butter fat must be part of what you can call ice cream. Gelato is only about seven percent. Gelato also is not whipped as is ice cream, leaving more intense flavors.

“Oh, I think it is definitely better than ice cream,” Matilde said.

While the Lenzis know this is the slow time of year (this is their second summer in Fountain Hills), Matilde said their business has been good.

“Every day we have a few more customers,” she said. “And everyday, when people leave, they leave happy.”

While desserts are the staple in Veronica’s, meal crepes also are available. Matilde said people like to come in for lunch, then have dessert.

The meal crepes include spinach and cheese, ham and cheese, chicken and mushroom and tuna. Soft drinks, coffee, cappuccino and espresso also are served. Matilde said she has applied for a wine and beer license.

“People would enjoy having a glass of wine with a crepe,” she said.

The range of gelato flavors is broad and there surely is something for every palate. Vanilla bean, strawberry, raspberry, caramel de leche, dark chocolate, cappuccino, roasted banana and almond gelatos are featured, along with a variety of sorbets such as orange, lemon, peach and mango.

Names of the gelato dishes are as tempting as their namesakes: “Vesuvio,” “Sicilia,” “Isla di Capri,” “Sorrento” and Tuscany.” For those not as interested in a place in Italy, the “Temptation,” “Festival” or a plain, old “Banana Split” might suit your fancy.

Prices for the desserts range from $3.95 to $7.95. Meal crepes are $6.95 and $7.95.

Other desserts such as napoleons, ricotta cheesecake and Italian cookies also are available.

Veronica’s is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. and weekends from noon to 10 p.m. It is closed Sundays.

The restaurant is located at 16740 E. Palisades Blvd. Call 837-3557 for additional information.

This story was featured August 2006.