Lake Como Food Coma, Part 1: Alle Darsene di Loppia

Bellagio on Lake Como was the last stop of our two week trip, and we were just exhausted after a six hour drive. We didn’t really have the energy to look up restaurants ahead of time, so we decided to walk over to Alle Darsene di Loppia, which is in the tiny fishing hamlet of di Loppia, which is really just one street and now part of Bellagio.

All the tables outside were reserved (the waiter tried to patiently explain it was high season), but they graciously opened up the inside seating area for us. But then some stodgy old man and his family asked to switch to inside because of the “bugs” (we didn’t see or feel even one bug). Score! It only has a partial view of the lake, but the seating area is so pretty and peaceful, it doesn’t really matter (plus it’s dark).

I was starving after a long trip that included having to eat at a French rest stop (ewwww), so I planned to order the full shebang: app, pasta, meat, cheese, and dessert courses. My boyfriend thought he had a normal girlfriend and that we were sharing a pasta, so didn’t order one. The waitress than clarified, “So you are sharing the pasta?” I very sternly but politely replied, “No.” She clarified that my boyfriend didn’t order one. I looked at them both and repeated, “No, no we are not sharing. I am starving. I want my own. And I’m going to order the cheese later, too.” My boyfriend dutifully got his own pasta.

And then I was so full by the meat course that I couldn’t finish it, let alone order cheese. We “suffered” through dessert In fact, each night we ate so much that ending with grappa was a necessity because, as my boyfriend exclaimed, “I need something to digest this food because I can’t.”

We loved it so much we made a reservation for the next day — luckily they had a last minute cancellation. When we ordered the second night, the waitress remembered us and joked, “You are sharing the pasta, yes?” So kind and funny, and the other waiters remembered us as well.

Below are photos and brief reviews of our courses. If you are in Bellagio, I really encourage you to go visit Alle Darsene di Loppia — but make a reservation…or two!

Appetizers

Lombardy wine: Brigante La Costa Terre Lariane I.g.t.’13 (merlot, cabernet sauvignon) – Euro 20,00

Eggplant and almond mouse amuse bouche

Your meal starts with compliments from the chef: A glass of Prosecco and a eggplant and almond mouse amuse bouche. Really smooth with just a hint of roasted eggplant. We ordered a lovely, easy to drink, slightly tannic Lombardy red: Brigante La Costa Terre Lariane I.g.t.’13 (merlot, cabernet sauvignon) – Euro 20,00