Ristorante Il Saraceno — Restaurant in Cavernago

I went there Friday for lunch with four friends. We had the seven course tasting menu with wine pairing, which included five snacks and three petit fours. Overall the food was at a high level, but with a miss or two along the way. We felt that the scallop dish with porcini mushroom and the dish with prawns and julienne vegetables missed the mark a little bit compared to the other dishes. Everything else was really enjoyable, but I would like to highlight the crispy prawn snack with soffrito sauce, the lemon risotto with prawns and dried fish, the "carbonara" with lobster and caviar and some of the moments on the raw fish plate, especially the anchovies with soy and yuzu. Really amazing food accompanied with great bread and the best grissini we ever tasted. The dessert was playful and an amazing end to a wonderful lunch.

Moving along to the wine selection. What a spectacular journey and pairing to the dishes. The sommelier was outstanding. Very friendly and knowledgeable. One of the joys of fine dining is tasting wines you otherwise would not encounter and he was great at explaining what we had in our glasses and why it fitted the food. When you pay 200€ for a lunch it's nice that you don't feel the sommelier measuring every ml in the glass, but allows to get a bit extra of the wines we really enjoyed. Great guy.

They weren't very busy, but it was perfect for us as we could indulge in the food and wine helped along by great service of the entire staff.

We would highly recommend...

My husband and I had a delightful experience at Ristorante Il Saraceno. The service was exceptional, with staff who were not only knowledgeable but also attentive, even helping me translate the menu as I’m still learning Italian.

The food was a perfect blend of flavors, each dish carefully crafted to ensure none overshadowed the others. The chefs truly understand balance, creating a memorable culinary journey.

The dessert was not only delicious but also beautifully presented, a true feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Overall, it was a beautiful experience. I look forward to returning next time I’m in town to try...

Il Saraceno è un’esperienza culinaria di alto livello; avendo testato diversi stellati Lombardi, questo si distingue per la sua eccellenza. Lo chef Roberto Proto, con radici nella Costiera, ci ha accolti con calore, presentando il suo elegante ristorante gestito con raffinatezza insieme alla moglie Maria Morbi. La degustazione “A mano libera” con sette portate è un viaggio di sapori e consistenze: dal bon bon di polpo e patate, irresistibile, al risotto agli agrumi con gamberi e katsuobushi, un’esplosione di gusto che lascia senza parole. Il servizio di sala è impeccabile: professionale, accogliente e di classe, eleva ogni istante. In un ambiente luminoso che trasforma l’antica trattoria di famiglia in un tempio gourmet, i sapori della Costiera si fondono con ingredienti lombardi in piatti immediati e superbi. Per chi cerca l’eccellenza, Il Saraceno è un’esperienza che va vissuta per scoprire l’arte culinaria di Roberto Proto.

🇬🇧 Il Saraceno is a top-notch dining experience; having tried several Michelin-starred spots in Lombardy, this one really stands out for its excellence. Chef Roberto Proto, with roots on the Amalfi Coast, welcomed us warmly, running his sleek restaurant with finesse alongside his wife, Maria Morbi. The “A Mano Libera” tasting menu with seven courses is a flavor-packed journey: from the irresistible octopus and potato bon bon to the citrus risotto with shrimp and katsuobushi, a taste explosion that leaves you speechless. The service is flawless—professional, welcoming, and classy, making every moment special. In a bright setting that turns the old family trattoria into a gourmet haven, Coastal flavors blend with Lombard ingredients in dishes that hit hard and taste amazing. For anyone chasing culinary excellence, Il Saraceno is a must-try to experience Roberto Proto’s...