Dining in the Italian Lakes
I will be traveling in the Italian Lakes region, specifically around lakes Maggiore and Como and am looking for all kinds of suggestions for dining. We have a car and will be driving round. Some of the places we'll be visiting are Bellagio, Stresa, Como, Ascona, and many others.
Any suggestions for lunch and/or dinner anywhere on either lakes is appreciaed. Small authentic places with pasta, seafood, or fine dining, or places with a great view. Mostly we'd like inexpensive to moderate, but don't mind splurging on something really special.
All ideas are greatly appreciated.
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MBlair
Jun 22, 2011 11:35 AM
In Bellagio, for fine dining (and service) I would recommned Barchetta, and for mid-range I would recommend Alla Darsena, which is in the neighboring town of Loppia. It's cozy and the tables are right on a quiet area of the lake.
For a more casual dinner in Bellagio, I would suggest going to Bacilus (and ordering the smoked lake fish), which is located in a beautiful garden and has a partial view of the lake. Also, if you find yourself in the nearby town of San Giacomo, try Trattoria San Giacomo, which is a very traditional trattoria.
In Bellagio, Enoteca Cava Turacciolo is an excellent wine bar with a very gracious and knowledgable owner. It's perfect for a tasting and a plate of cured meats and cheeses. The owner is also a reliable source for restaurant recommendations.
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Albergo Silvio is a small hotel on the outskirts of Bellagio, with a fabulous restaurant. It is very popular with both local people and hotel guests, so reservations, at least for dinner, are a must. The view over Lake Como is spectacular. They catch all of the fish they serve. The menu is extensive and interesting (it includes some excellent meat dishes as well), and quite reasonably priced. Be sure to try the lavarello (a lake fish) and the lasagnetta with fish ragu (made with layers of crepes instead of pasta). We stayed there for several days and it was the highlight of our visit to the lake district.
