Un ballo in maschera?!
Aug 4, 2020, 1:56 pm
#16
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Dinner Villa Crespi 1
The main reason many people visit Villa Crespi is the famous restaurant which holds 2 Michelin stars. Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo is a TV-star.
Booking wasn´t easy as I first got a call they only had a place on their waitlist. When I told them as a guest at the hotel I expect availability they appologized that they didn´t know I´m a hotel guest. My table was confirmed. When I asked later for a table at the second evening they confirmed it woudn´t be a problem.
We ate at the wintergarden which is a nice room.
They offer 2 tasting menus. The 5 course costs 150 €, the 7 course 190 €. For the first dinner we choosed the 5 course, I additionally took a cheese course (20 €)
The dinner was good. I can´t say it was over the top but good 2 star level.
After the dinner we were asked if we had masks. We were surprised and had to deny as we had left them at our room. They provided us masks and we learned About the reason. They showed us the kitchen which is the biggest in a 2 or 3 star I ever saw.
Booking wasn´t easy as I first got a call they only had a place on their waitlist. When I told them as a guest at the hotel I expect availability they appologized that they didn´t know I´m a hotel guest. My table was confirmed. When I asked later for a table at the second evening they confirmed it woudn´t be a problem.
We ate at the wintergarden which is a nice room.
They offer 2 tasting menus. The 5 course costs 150 €, the 7 course 190 €. For the first dinner we choosed the 5 course, I additionally took a cheese course (20 €)
The dinner was good. I can´t say it was over the top but good 2 star level.
After the dinner we were asked if we had masks. We were surprised and had to deny as we had left them at our room. They provided us masks and we learned About the reason. They showed us the kitchen which is the biggest in a 2 or 3 star I ever saw.
Aug 5, 2020, 12:54 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
I am considering a tour of the Lakes in October, driving across from the UK. I'll do it if the Covid situation remains sort of under control. Because of this I am following this thread with some interest and excitement. It's an area I know but not for some years and I don't need to fly there which is a positive. So thank you, offerendum, for all your efforts so far.
I'll make this observation. Lake Orta might be regarded as the prettiest of all the lakes, if only because of its intimate scale, its relative lack of tourism and its small island off the main town. The view is utterly magical. Staying here poses a bit of a problem. I'm sure the Villa Crespi is the best place to stay by far but , as you say, it lacks a decent view, proper gardens or a pool. Hotel San Rocca down the road has all that for a third of the price and there are B&Bs with knockout views. People go to Villa Crespi for the food. When in Italy I like to eat some simple pasta, a risotto, grilled fish or maybe a veal fillet or cotechino with lentils. In other words, authentic Italian food in Italy. Judging by your excellent photos, Villa Crespi food looks exactly like the food you get at any two or three star, overpriced Michelin joint these days, anywhere in the world. It isn't Italian food, or French food . . . it's Michelin food. Sitting through those multi-course marathon dinners isn't something I am remotely interested in these days. I end those dinners bored and exhausted. And hungry.
I am greatly looking forward to your account of the Castello di Guarene and finding out if you succumbed to the nearby two-star Madernassa which seems to have a bliss-out setting but impossibly pretentious and expensive food.
I'll make this observation. Lake Orta might be regarded as the prettiest of all the lakes, if only because of its intimate scale, its relative lack of tourism and its small island off the main town. The view is utterly magical. Staying here poses a bit of a problem. I'm sure the Villa Crespi is the best place to stay by far but , as you say, it lacks a decent view, proper gardens or a pool. Hotel San Rocca down the road has all that for a third of the price and there are B&Bs with knockout views. People go to Villa Crespi for the food. When in Italy I like to eat some simple pasta, a risotto, grilled fish or maybe a veal fillet or cotechino with lentils. In other words, authentic Italian food in Italy. Judging by your excellent photos, Villa Crespi food looks exactly like the food you get at any two or three star, overpriced Michelin joint these days, anywhere in the world. It isn't Italian food, or French food . . . it's Michelin food. Sitting through those multi-course marathon dinners isn't something I am remotely interested in these days. I end those dinners bored and exhausted. And hungry.
I am greatly looking forward to your account of the Castello di Guarene and finding out if you succumbed to the nearby two-star Madernassa which seems to have a bliss-out setting but impossibly pretentious and expensive food.
Last edited by Pausanias; Aug 5, 2020 at 2:29 am
Aug 5, 2020, 4:10 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,521
I am considering a tour of the Lakes in October, driving across from the UK. I'll do it if the Covid situation remains sort of under control. Because of this I am following this thread with some interest and excitement. It's an area I know but not for some years and I don't need to fly there which is a positive. So thank you, offerendum, for all your efforts so far.
I'll make this observation. Lake Orta might be regarded as the prettiest of all the lakes, if only because of its intimate scale, its relative lack of tourism and its small island off the main town. The view is utterly magical. Staying here poses a bit of a problem. I'm sure the Villa Crespi is the best place to stay by far but , as you say, it lacks a decent view, proper gardens or a pool. Hotel San Rocca down the road has all that for a third of the price and there are B&Bs with knockout views. People go to Villa Crespi for the food. When in Italy I like to eat some simple pasta, a risotto, grilled fish or maybe a veal fillet or cotechino with lentils. In other words, authentic Italian food in Italy. Judging by your excellent photos, Villa Crespi food looks exactly like the food you get at any two or three star, overpriced Michelin joint these days, anywhere in the world. It isn't Italian food, or French food . . . it's Michelin food. Sitting through those multi-course marathon dinners isn't something I am remotely interested in these days. I end those dinners bored and exhausted. And hungry.
I am greatly looking forward to your account of the Castello di Guarene and finding out if you succumbed to the nearby two-star Madernassa which seems to have a bliss-out setting but impossibly pretentious and expensive food.
I'll make this observation. Lake Orta might be regarded as the prettiest of all the lakes, if only because of its intimate scale, its relative lack of tourism and its small island off the main town. The view is utterly magical. Staying here poses a bit of a problem. I'm sure the Villa Crespi is the best place to stay by far but , as you say, it lacks a decent view, proper gardens or a pool. Hotel San Rocca down the road has all that for a third of the price and there are B&Bs with knockout views. People go to Villa Crespi for the food. When in Italy I like to eat some simple pasta, a risotto, grilled fish or maybe a veal fillet or cotechino with lentils. In other words, authentic Italian food in Italy. Judging by your excellent photos, Villa Crespi food looks exactly like the food you get at any two or three star, overpriced Michelin joint these days, anywhere in the world. It isn't Italian food, or French food . . . it's Michelin food. Sitting through those multi-course marathon dinners isn't something I am remotely interested in these days. I end those dinners bored and exhausted. And hungry.
I am greatly looking forward to your account of the Castello di Guarene and finding out if you succumbed to the nearby two-star Madernassa which seems to have a bliss-out setting but impossibly pretentious and expensive food.
Regarding Lake Orta it was not lacking tourists even during Corona but it may be much more silent than Lago Maggiore.
Will also write something about La Madernassa, but the food will not be your cup of tea. I found it very good and reasonable priced (10 courses 180 €) but I fear you will not agree with me as it´s a long journey and objective of course a lot of Money and a classical 2 Michelin starred meal. Nevertheless around Guarene are many casual options (for example in Alba) but you have to drive. The restaurant at the Castello is not on 2 or 3 star level but still nice and at the edge to 1 star.
Aug 5, 2020, 2:34 pm
#19
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Lago Maggiore
The next morning we drove the Lago Maggiore. Mainly we wanted visit Isola Bella, the most famous of the Borromean Islands. When we arrived at the pier in Stresa it was pretty empty, not the norm in July I guess. On the boat to the Island we were the only passengers.
First view on Isola Bella
No problem with distance
Stresa with its hotel Palaces
Isola Madre
Fascinating…..
Here we are
First view on Isola Bella
No problem with distance
Stresa with its hotel Palaces
Isola Madre
Fascinating…..
Here we are
Aug 7, 2020, 3:43 am
#20
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Isola Bella: Palazzo Borromeo
First we visited the Palazzo Borromeo which is a nice Building with many artworks. One can imagine that fabolous parties were celebrated here.
Aug 13, 2020, 1:01 pm
#25
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Lago di Orta
After a short break at Villa Crespi we went to Lago di Orta. Many people were sitting at the lakeshore and were swimming in the lake.It´s often called the most romantic lake. In fact it´s nice.
Aug 14, 2020, 11:46 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
Love the photos, as a kid with family in the area we used to visit Lago Maggiore, although coming from France or Switzerland it was a bit of a schlep with my dad's R19.
Now, the question that got to be asked... why coppetta and not cono?!
Now, the question that got to be asked... why coppetta and not cono?!