golfmom

Going to Varenna in a couple weeks and we are staying at Albergo Milano. I'm considering the three course dinner at Ristorante la Vista at Albergo Milano. How does it compare to the Hotel Villa Cipressii, Il Cavatapp, or Vecchia Varenna? Which would you choose? Thank you.

luvtotravel

It's been a couple of years, but I remember enjoying my meal at Il Cavatappi (not sure about the spelling), although they played a CD of the Bee Gees throughout dinner. I thought that odd. Our meal at Vecchia Varenna (I think this is also spelled differently) was okay. We enjoyed our pastas, but the meal course was just so-so. Here is a photo of the restaurant taken the next day. It was cold the night we were there and we were sitting at a table by the water.
http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...9LakeComo.html

Now that I think of it, I think we ate at the Albergo Milano, too, but I don't remember much about it.

You can see my trip report from Varenna from the beginning at http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...5LakeComo.html

There is an outdoor cafe at the water's edge where I had a good dessert crepe. Varenna is small--you can't miss it.

golfmom

Thank you very much for the information. Regarding spelling, after I posted I realized I either added too many "i's" or not enough; it should be Cipressi and Cavatappi. I hope. Anyway, I'm going to read the links, thanks!

hlocke1

Hi golfmom --

Although I didn't visit 2 of the restaurants you have mentioned, I was just at Il Cavatappi a couple of weeks ago. It is very small (3 tables were set up when we visited) and like being treated to a meal at a family member's house. The food was amazing and Mario (owner and chef) is very knowledgeable when it comes to food and wine pairing.

If you are looking for a more upscale setting, you might want to try one of your other choices. If you are looking for a chance to experience food and wine created as a labor of love in a more rustic setting, go for Il Cavatappi.

If you do choose Il Cavatappi, be sure to make a reservation. We wrote an email before we left town and were happy we did--5 other sets of guests were turned away at the door while we ate.

Hope that helps!

Henry

golfmom,
It has been a few years but I still remember the dinners at Cavatappi and Hotel Milano, both were outstanding. The Hotel Milano was more formal and had a great view.

Henry

golfmom

This information is why this site works so well, thanks! I made a reservation at the Albergo Milano restaurant and now I'm going to make one for Cavatappi. Thank you very much.

socaltraveler

We ate at both of these wonderful restaurants last summer; we also stayed at the Albergo Milano. I think you will really enjoy both dining experiences as they are really different. The view from the terrace of the Albergo Milano was amazing; there was a drizzle the night we ate there and everyone moved indoors except us - we had the terrace to ourselves under an umbrella. And the food was delicious.

Il Cavatappi was equally delicious, a small cave of a restaurant, a fe specials, the chef visible in his kitchen. We did notice a new restaurant, on the pathway between the hotel and Il Cavatappi, it was about to open; if you see it and eat there, do report back.