Best Restaurant in Varenna
Sep 3rd, 2012, 08:42 AM
#1
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Best Restaurant in Varenna
Hands down it is La Vista. We had 3 dinners there that will make your mouth dance with joy.
Bettina and Egidio will provide you an excellent dining experience that you will not forget. The wait staff are very friendly and cheerful as well. If you want a more intimate dining experience ask for the small balcony away from the main terrace. Main terrace will provide you with sweeping views of Lake Como as you enjoy the fabulous food and wine. Have an Aperol Spritz to start things off. Staff were also very welcoming to our Jack Russell, Thor, who maintained a wary truce with the house cat, Sushi. Cannot recommend La Vista enough, truly a fine dining experience.
Bettina and Egidio will provide you an excellent dining experience that you will not forget. The wait staff are very friendly and cheerful as well. If you want a more intimate dining experience ask for the small balcony away from the main terrace. Main terrace will provide you with sweeping views of Lake Como as you enjoy the fabulous food and wine. Have an Aperol Spritz to start things off. Staff were also very welcoming to our Jack Russell, Thor, who maintained a wary truce with the house cat, Sushi. Cannot recommend La Vista enough, truly a fine dining experience.
Sep 3rd, 2012, 09:13 AM
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What did you eat? It is such a gorgeous area, eh?
Hub and I ended up at Albergo Olivedo when we found that the ferry on Easter Monday wouldn't get to Varenna from Bellagio in time for the earliest train. The hotel is a short walk from ferry stop and owned by Laura who is 3rd generation of her family in this hotel. Here was our dinner:
Pumpkin gnocchi, Ravioli with spinach and cheese, Grilled beef and grilled veal; Wine-poached pears with Bavarian Cream and lemon sorbet. Mezzo vino russo della casa and water.
Since this was our only meal, I cannot say if returning would have been a repeat. It was very good. I hope we can both go back and re-sample!
Hub and I ended up at Albergo Olivedo when we found that the ferry on Easter Monday wouldn't get to Varenna from Bellagio in time for the earliest train. The hotel is a short walk from ferry stop and owned by Laura who is 3rd generation of her family in this hotel. Here was our dinner:
Pumpkin gnocchi, Ravioli with spinach and cheese, Grilled beef and grilled veal; Wine-poached pears with Bavarian Cream and lemon sorbet. Mezzo vino russo della casa and water.
Since this was our only meal, I cannot say if returning would have been a repeat. It was very good. I hope we can both go back and re-sample!
Sep 3rd, 2012, 09:16 AM
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We ate at at least 5 other places which all were good. La Vista was a standout to us. I cannot speak to my expertise on the regional cuisine of the area, I can say the food and dining experience at the La Vista was quite exceptional.
Sep 3rd, 2012, 09:24 AM
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It would be interesting to know what you ate. It is always an asset to be treated well by the owners and have them be nice to your dog, and sometimes the view is enough for some people, but anybody ought to be able to make an Aperol Spritz so what dishes did you eat in what month of the year, and what wine did you drink?
Sep 3rd, 2012, 01:45 PM
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Varenna has several excellent dining choices in addition to La Vista. Our favorite is Il Cavatappi, a small 5-table restaurant that has remained unchanged with the increased popularity of Varenna. Dining with Mario is an unforgettable experience in an intimate setting.
We spent 5 nights at Albergo Milano in Aug. 2005, and enjoyed our stay and dining experience with Egi & Bettina very much. The views from the terrace are "as good as it gets".
In Aug. 2010, we spent another 5 nights on Lake Como. With our more recent visit, we found that the intimate atmosphere at La Vista had disappeared. The terrace was filled with 3 long rows of tables to accommodate more diners. We agree with Holly's recommendation to ask for the small balcony away from the main entrance, if you want a more intimate dining experience.
We have dined with Mario at Il Cavatappi probably 7 or 8 times for lunch or dinner. Every meal has been excellent whether we chose a special, duck, or a pasta. And, interacting with Mario has added to our dining experience.
We've also had good meals at Nuova Isola 1169 and Olivedo. We love everything Italian, have spent about 90 nights in Italy, and have never been displeased with a meal.
We spent 5 nights at Albergo Milano in Aug. 2005, and enjoyed our stay and dining experience with Egi & Bettina very much. The views from the terrace are "as good as it gets".
In Aug. 2010, we spent another 5 nights on Lake Como. With our more recent visit, we found that the intimate atmosphere at La Vista had disappeared. The terrace was filled with 3 long rows of tables to accommodate more diners. We agree with Holly's recommendation to ask for the small balcony away from the main entrance, if you want a more intimate dining experience.
We have dined with Mario at Il Cavatappi probably 7 or 8 times for lunch or dinner. Every meal has been excellent whether we chose a special, duck, or a pasta. And, interacting with Mario has added to our dining experience.
We've also had good meals at Nuova Isola 1169 and Olivedo. We love everything Italian, have spent about 90 nights in Italy, and have never been displeased with a meal.
