Andrea Monesi - Locanda di Orta

Situated in the historic centre of one of the most romantic lakeside villages in Italy, and offering a picture-postcard view of bygone days, this small building houses a contemporary-style restaurant (including a recently opened private dining room) with just one table for two on its romantic outdoor terrace. The cuisine here is creative and precise, with a menu that features fish and seafood alongside top-quality meat from the Piedmont. Each recipe is personalised, often focusing on contrasting flavours and textures, while the wine list is overseen by an excellent sommelier who is happy to guide you in your choice. The imaginative desserts are also well worth a mention.

What makes it distinctive

• Michelin-starred dining in Orta San Giulio, on the shores of Lake Orta.
• Multiple tasting menus, including a seven-dish "Bianca" route, plus à la carte.
• For groups over four, tasting menus are served uniformly across the table.

Signature Ingredients

• Smoked eel, oyster, and caviar.
• Frog, used in a rice course.
• Scallop, treated with gratin-style cues.
• Duck ragù with egg-rich tagliatelle.
• Dry-aged veal.

Menu

• Three tasting routes plus an à la carte option, with pricing listed in euros.
• Sample tasting dishes include smoked eel with oyster and caviar, rice and frogs, sea carbonara, and scallops prepared "au gratin"-style.
• Pasta and meat courses show a technical, high-intensity style, including tagliatelle made with 37 yolks, duck ragù and orange, and dry-aged veal with beets and mustard.