We've planned our 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to Lake Como so long ago, that I have almost forgotten our plans. We are staying In Menaggio at the Grand Hotel Victoria (July 18th) and would appreciate recommendations on restaurants that we can easily get to. Also, what type of clothing should we bring. We usually try to pack light since we also will be traveling from Venice and ending in Lake Orta.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Denise

ttt,<BR><BR>hope someone can help.

If you want to splurge for your anniversary you might try Villa d'Este. We really like "La Riva Dei Bruti" in Lake Como. Address: Lungo Lario Trieste, 50. Telephone: 031-304-746.<BR>Have a wonderful trip.

The Hotel Victoria itself has a wonderful restaurant. The Grand Hotel Menaggio at the other end of town has an attractive restaurant, though sometimes its menu is limited to the three selections at each course that it offers for its demi-pension guests. In between, right in the middle of town on the little square where the Bar Centrale is located, you'll find a little local restaurant without a great deal of ambiance but with a lot of great antipasto in an seemingly endless array. For a main course have their macaroni with quattro frommagi. It strings forever and tastes great. Get your hotel to arrange for lunch at Isola Comacina on the island in Lake Como just off the coast of Tremezzo. It is an extravaganza, starting with a thin slice of lemon atop a slice of tomato drizzled in olive oil, moving through about 8 different veggies, then to a whole fish that is filleted with great skill and much showmanship in front of you, then a whole chicken, and on through dessert, all with a couple of bottles of wine and a story of the island around a fire after dessert--probably a grappa chaser or somesuch, but we never got that far having been summoned from the mainland for parking in a wrong spot. At any rate you get the picture, a rustic inn on an ancient island with tremendous rustic food served with flair and finesse. Not to be missed. Enjoy. Orta is also a swell place. You'll love that too.

Wow, Julie, that place sounds great. Tell me, how much of a splurge is it? We'd also like to do a really special meal, but frankly Villa d'Este just seems too "pretentious" and formal, especially for a lunch. Is this place at Isola Comacina less so?

To Patrick:<BR><BR>Julie has posted a little bit more info on the Isola Comacina place earlier this spring:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1363924<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We ate at Isola Comacina two years ago with a large group and had a fantastic time...the very best 5 hour lunch I have ever had.!!!! It is also fairly casual so don't miss it, one of the courses was pieces of reggiano cheese cut from the heart of a huge round brought to the table...exquisite!

We just got back from 10 days in Como and Orta. Menaggio is at least 1 hour from Como by boat, the only way to travel in Como, if you're sane. The hotel appears elegant and charming.The President of Italy was at your hotel the day passed by on the boat. Bellagio is just across the lake and the Villa Seriballoni is totally elegant... not like Vegas in the slightest. If you are really interested in a very current and in depth and detailed opinion on Como and Orta..fire back and you'll get it!! also Florence and Venice!!<BR>[email protected]

Can anyone tell me how much some of these "splurge" meals cost? I know everyone's idea is different.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Denise<BR><BR>Also, what type of clothes should I bring for this region. I know summer is supposed to be very hot.

Denise:<BR><BR>Let's leave the wine out of the equation, at least to start - - because it adds such a variable amount to the total tab.<BR><BR>I am citing this from memory, as I do not have notes, but I think that of the three splurge dinners I had in September 2000, the price range was as follows:<BR><BR>1. Grand Hotel Victoria Menaggio - - 35-40 euro per person, wine excluded.<BR><BR>2. Villa d'Este and Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio - - both in the 40 to 55 euro per person, wine excluded.<BR><BR>In short, none of the three were in the stratospheric price range sometimes found in Paris, for example.<BR><BR>And of course, wine can add 10-500 euro per person - - all depends on what you are willing to spend. You can add some really great wines at any of these three for under 20 euro per person.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We were at Isola Comacina in 1996 when we paid 176,000 lire for the lunch. When everything was converted to euros the lire was at about 1800 to $1 US, so I'd assume even with inflation that this whole dinner would only cost you between $50 and $75 per person US. Considering that this is not just food but also entertainment, that's a pretty good deal. <BR><BR>When looking this upn journals I also found the name of the small restaurant on the main square of Menaggio--da Paolina. Appetizers I had included tasty, tiny shrimp in some great sauce, squid with olives and squid in tomato sauce, small dice of veggies in mayon, peppers with anchovies andegano and tuna with olives and veggies--and that was only about half of what was available. Mother and daughter rush from table to table admonishing customers to eat more. Oh, one or two more bits of intelligence from the journal--Isola Comacina is only 8 km from Menaggio and the most highly recommendedestau in the region is Veluu, located in the hills outside Menaggio. Again, your hotel concierge (I believe his name is Bruno) can tell you where it is, how to get there, and get you reservations.

I had lunch at the Verandah Restaurant at the Villa d'Este in late April. First courses are 20 to 30 Euro, as are second courses. The two of us each opted for the salad bar (16 Euro) instead of a first course, a second course, dessert, wine by the glass (one glass each, @ 7 Euro) and coffee. There is a 7.50 cover charge per person, so our bill for lunch was 155 Euro. They were not at all snooty or stuffy. In fact, they were quite friendly, and gave us a wonderful table right next to the lake. If I had known it would be that expensive, I might not have gone, so I'm glad I didn't know ahead of time. I'm very glad we did it. The grounds were lovely, and the lunch was excellent. The menu is the same for lunch or dinner, so it will cost the same for either meal, except that we Americans tend to order more courses in the evening. There were people at lunch in jeans and shorts (I was quite surprised to see this, and I don't think I would do this unless you're staying there), but jacket and tie are required for men in the evening.