Lago Maggiore: Verbania, Canobbio, Stresa

[eurobenji101]

Leaving this weekend for a quick jaunt to Lago Maggiore and would love any restaurant recommendations in this area. I realize that options will be limited due to being off-season (most of the area really opens late-March/early April). I'm staying in Verbania near the "Suri" area on the lake on Friday night and making my way up the coast to Locarno (Switzerland) for Saturday night. Hopefully will take the ferry to Stresa from Locarno on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks, Benji

PS: Does anyone know of any place in Gallarte for a sandwich as I wait for the train near Milan-Malpensa airport?

[shabbystorm]

The Piedmont Region of Italy is Beautiful!
In Stresa and Milan enjoyed AMAZING quick bites and meals at the following:

Restaurant Da Cesare
Via Mazzini 14 - 28838 Stressa
39 0323 31386
Must try Piedmont Sauce with Gnocchi
The Creamiest Polenta ever!

Ristorante Albergo Verbano on Islo Pescatori
5 Course Meal after arriving via Boat
AMAZING!

Pasticceria Gigi Bar
Stresa - Amazing Fruit Tarts

Gelati and Pizza is at every corner
Enjoyed Cremeria Fantasy
Via Pricipessa Margherita 38
Pistachio - Tirimisu - Chocolate!

Not a bad meal the entire trip!

In Milan - definitely try Focaccia, olive, pesto, zucchini and Panzarotti - AMAZING!

You will not go hungry!

[jinx]

An addition for Stresa...we loved this restaurant and actually ate there both nights of our stay. Reserve to get one of the few outdoor tables.

Il Vicoletto
vicolo del Poncivo, Stresa
0323932102

Here is a photo of their menu:
http://www.jczinn.com/Italy/Italy%202...

the warm Seppe (cuttlefish) with orange was fanastic, as was the tagliolini with seafood...in fact every dish we ate was wonderful (hence we went back two nights in a row!)

[shabbystorm]

Traveling to Stresa - If anyone has updated suggestions for Must Try Food and Restaurants in this region it would be most appreciated.

[jinx]

Ditto--I too will be in Stresa for a couple of nights in May. You might be interested in this thread I started on the Slowtravel site as there are some good recommendations there for Stresa and Verbania area. These two sound particularly interesting:

Osteria del Castello: In Verbania, 20 minutes from downtown Stresa, http://www.osteriacastello.com/

Dam a Traa: True traditional Piemontese cooking, a few miles further, in Suna, before Verbania. http://www.damatraa.com/home.htm

The whole thread is here:
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/...

[shabbystorm]

Thank you.

[lavale]

Hello!
Maybe it's too late and you're already back.
IN Verbania Pallanza there is a very nice bistrot in the "ruga" (the main pedestrian street) called bistrot delle rose.
I think it's also open off season, since I've eaten there several times during winter week days.

There is another good restaurant in Verbania Intra, but I really don't remember its name. it's near the market place, but I can't be very helpful, sorry.

Another place, never tried, but should be very good, it's "piccolo lago" in FOndotoce, near Lago di Mergozzo.

ciao
vale

[MSK]

We stayed at the Hotel Verbano on Isola dei Pescatori. There are ferries from Stresa.
If I remember right (it was a few years ago), the restaurant was very good. In addition, it was a very special location with gorgeous views. In the evening, the tourists are gone an you feel as if you have this wonderful little island to yourself and some locals. I'm not sure what their off season schedule is.

http://www.hotelverbano.it/en/index.html