13 Jul 2022
Lunch on Lago de Como
A Tip for Lunch when staying on Lago de Como
One of the most dramatic and beautiful Italian lakes sits below Milan. In 1999 Judith and I got married and spent our honeymoon on lake.Como.It is another story as to how we came to stay at the Villa d Este, a beautiful hotel on the east of the lake at Cernobbio. In 1998 we had travelled to Tuscany with a travel company called Magic of Italy and stayed at La Suvera in Pievescola. The company mixed up our choice of room which spoilt the holiday. On our return to the UK, we complained to Magic of Italy who accepted the complaint and offered 40% off our next holiday with them. We were delighted at this and booked our honeymoon at the Villa d `Este in July 1999.
If you are travelling from the UK to Como, you will have to fly into either Malpensa or Bergamo. We travelled from Malpensa by taxi, and it took about 40 minutes to Como which in 1999 was not too expensive. I would recommend this as a fast easy transfer to the lake.
The nicest way to see the lake is by boat. The boats are regular and leave from the boat station on the quay at Como and travel up the lake stopping off at predesignated stops. It is useful to carry a timetable with you.
The lake looks like an inverted Y with Domaso at the north of the lake, Como at the bottom left foot of the lake. In the middle section there is Bellagio. From that point you can travel down the right-hand side of the lake to Lecco.
If you are staying either in Como or at one of the resorts near to Como, then you could take a boat trip to a fabulous little lake side restaurant at Torno.
Torno has always been a favourite with visitors to this part of the lake. it is made up of 4 villages and has a number of villa’s with magnificent gardens, one of which is Villa Mia. The restaurant Il Belvedere is situated right next to the boat station so you could have lunch before venturing to explore.
Ristorante Il Belvedere
Its splendid position has always made it a favourite restaurant for tourists, holidaymakers, and locals alike. Try to get there early and grab the table at the water’s edge. The view and the food are fantastic and not that expensive. If you are looking for a long leisurely lunch try the menu Gastrolario at euro 40.
Menu Gastrolario
1. Lake Como gin-tonic tasting with lavarello crumble
2. Lucioperch carpaccio with finterli mushrooms and parsley
3. Salmon trout fillets marinated with aromatic herbs
4. Soused la varello slice
5. Lake fish pate with hot bread
6. Butter and cheese rice with sage and local persico fish
7. Apple culizza with vanilla ice cream
8. Coffee with resta tasting
if you are not that hungry choose from their al a carte we are sure you will find something delicious to eat.. On our visit we had fresh lake trout and a lovely mixed salad washed down with a cold glass of white wine. Well, it would be rude not to! Worth a visit.
Ciao for now Martin and Judith!
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