Back in the land of longing
#46
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Duomo Salò
To start with, Salò is not a bishop's see, but the main church is still called the Duomo.
At first the church was closed (lunch break), but I came back. Inside is a classic church, there are also cloths to cover your shoulders.
At first the church was closed (lunch break), but I came back. Inside is a classic church, there are also cloths to cover your shoulders.
#48
#49
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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La Casa del Dolce Salò
But now it was definitely time for a gelato. La Casa del Dolce had made it into the top 100 of the last Dissapore list (no. 95) and received one Cono from Gambero Rosso.
The selection was very promising.
Our selection.
The gelato was really very good, I can highly recommend it. When I came back to the church later, it was really full, so it's no secret.
The selection was very promising.
Our selection.
The gelato was really very good, I can highly recommend it. When I came back to the church later, it was really full, so it's no secret.
#50
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Gelateria Ciocolat Toscolano Maderno
On the way back there was a stop at Ciocolat. The gelateria was ranked 52nd in the last Dissapore list, and 36th the year before. In 2017, Gambero Rosso awarded it the title of up-and-coming ice cream maker of the year.
The selection was quite large, some of the flavours were unusual and creative.
The gelato was of very good quality, you can go there more often. I did, but more on that later
The selection was quite large, some of the flavours were unusual and creative.
The gelato was of very good quality, you can go there more often. I did, but more on that later
#51
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Lido84
When I was researching restaurants on Lake Garda, I naturally came across Lido84, which is just 12 kilometres from Villa Feltrenelli and has a Michelin star. It is also number 7 in the San Pellegrino list worldwide, making it the best-ranked restaurant in Italy. Of course, I know that the former first-placed "Best of the Best" restaurants are not included in the list, but in Italy this is only the Osteria Francescana, which in my opinion is rather disappointing. So once again, the list and the Michelin are falling apart somewhat, and the Lido84 has also retained one star in 2024.
However, the restaurant's ranking makes it very popular. I didn't book directly on the day the reservations opened at 12 noon, but a day later. As a result, I was only able to put myself on the waiting list for 3 days. Then, 1 week before our arrival at Lake Garda, I was informed that a table had become available.
Unexpectedly, on the evening of the dinner, travelling there was a problem. While the 12 kilometres should normally take a maximum of 15 minutes, it took us around 1 hour! It just sucked, you could almost have walked. By the time the photo was taken, we had already covered quite a distance.
The restaurant itself is quite inconspicuous. Although it is located on the waterfront, you didn't really have a view in the dark.
While the menu still cost €85.00 when it was booked in April 2023, they now want €130.00 for 7 courses and €150.00 for 9 courses. A hefty increase, but there are worse things on the market at the moment.
The courses themselves weren't exactly big, so the 9 courses have to be put into perspective. But they were really filling, so it was more than enough. I can't remember everything and can't really understand it from the menu.
This is the first Signature Dish: Speghettoni, Butter, Yeast Crumble.
This was immediately followed by the next signature dish, namely "Risotto, Black Garlic, Berries".
Contrary to what you might think, it wasn't the kitchen crew who got drunk here, but the plate design is intended to honour the artist Stefano Bambardieri.
Next came a bit of cinema, we had "400° Eggplant alla Parmigiana".
It's basically a totally burnt aubergine on the outside, but it's juicy on the inside.
The main dessert was a huge yeast pastry. It was dgood, but in my opinion far too much, too heavy and rather disappointing as a finale to such a dinner.
The bill was relatively manageable.
How was it? It was a good dinner, everything tasted good. But it's certainly not number 7 in the world - San Pellegrino seems to be joking again. I think 1 star is OK overall, but you could also go for 2 stars. But certainly not more.
However, the restaurant's ranking makes it very popular. I didn't book directly on the day the reservations opened at 12 noon, but a day later. As a result, I was only able to put myself on the waiting list for 3 days. Then, 1 week before our arrival at Lake Garda, I was informed that a table had become available.
Unexpectedly, on the evening of the dinner, travelling there was a problem. While the 12 kilometres should normally take a maximum of 15 minutes, it took us around 1 hour! It just sucked, you could almost have walked. By the time the photo was taken, we had already covered quite a distance.
The restaurant itself is quite inconspicuous. Although it is located on the waterfront, you didn't really have a view in the dark.
While the menu still cost €85.00 when it was booked in April 2023, they now want €130.00 for 7 courses and €150.00 for 9 courses. A hefty increase, but there are worse things on the market at the moment.
The courses themselves weren't exactly big, so the 9 courses have to be put into perspective. But they were really filling, so it was more than enough. I can't remember everything and can't really understand it from the menu.
This is the first Signature Dish: Speghettoni, Butter, Yeast Crumble.
This was immediately followed by the next signature dish, namely "Risotto, Black Garlic, Berries".
Contrary to what you might think, it wasn't the kitchen crew who got drunk here, but the plate design is intended to honour the artist Stefano Bambardieri.
Next came a bit of cinema, we had "400° Eggplant alla Parmigiana".
It's basically a totally burnt aubergine on the outside, but it's juicy on the inside.
The main dessert was a huge yeast pastry. It was dgood, but in my opinion far too much, too heavy and rather disappointing as a finale to such a dinner.
The bill was relatively manageable.
How was it? It was a good dinner, everything tasted good. But it's certainly not number 7 in the world - San Pellegrino seems to be joking again. I think 1 star is OK overall, but you could also go for 2 stars. But certainly not more.
#53
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,270
Now those prices (despite portion sizes, but then agian, 9 courses, so taking that in mind) are more like it, unlike the previous restaurant where I felt were a bit overcharging.
Especially the April price, 85 eur for 7(?) courses feels like a steal.
Especially the April price, 85 eur for 7(?) courses feels like a steal.
#54
#56
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Plat, M&M FTL, BA Blue, QR Gold
Posts: 3,811
That water was surprisingly inexpensive (unless you got tap water). I've paid € 5 in quite ordinary places over the last couple weeks in France, and don't get me started on Switzerland.
#57
#58
#59
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Santuario Di Montecastello
Next we went up to the Santuario Di Montecastello. The path is quite steep and narrow, especially on the last few metres. The car park is also quite special, as you park on a steep driveway. On one side the door bangs open, on the other you have to push hard. I would be careful parking under another car, depending on the driver or passenger you are sure to get a nice dent.
The complex looks most impressive in aerial photographs, but the entrance is also nice to look at.
Behind the entrance you can see the actual church.
The church itself is relatively classic and typical of a pilgrimage church.
There is also a lower church under the main church.
Another place of devotion.
The real highlight, however, are the views.
A few metres further down is the Panchina gigante n. 238 Tignale.
There is also a good view from here.
The complex looks most impressive in aerial photographs, but the entrance is also nice to look at.
Behind the entrance you can see the actual church.
The church itself is relatively classic and typical of a pilgrimage church.
There is also a lower church under the main church.
Another place of devotion.
The real highlight, however, are the views.
A few metres further down is the Panchina gigante n. 238 Tignale.
There is also a good view from here.