Ristorante Materia Cernobbio — Restaurant in Cernobbio

We had the business lunch at 25€ for a two course meal, water and coffee included. For a Michelin star restaurant, it's quite affordable. Unfortunately, the overall experience was not at the level you can expect from a One Star restaurant.

We were seated at the back of the restaurant, the room had no window and the atmosphere was sad and not welcoming.

The food was ok I guess, but you come with much higher expectation for a Michelin star. Not only the taste was just average, but the duck confit was too dry and the pasta with short rib ragu was too salty. We figured it's because we took the business lunch, so we decided to order the chef signature desert which is a safran mousse with bone marrow ice and some other stuffs with bone marrow. It was "ok" but not well balanced as we tasted mainly the safran and not the bone marrow at all or ever so sligthly that it's a bit useless.

The service was average. The waiters were nice, but I had to ask twice for the beverages menu and so I only had water for my starter. Later on I ordered a coffee to go with the desert and I did not get it as well. To be honest, I also forgot about it up until we were leaving. I told the waitress that I did not get the coffee, she was surprised and propose me to have it, but we were already leaving...

Maybe it was a bad day for the restaurant, but compared to other Michelin Star restaurant, it's a bit...

A stunning experience! I dined here solo for lunch. I was the first to arrive during their lunch service and got to pick my table. Everything was prepared impeccably and the courses were inventive. I particularly enjoyed the tender veal tongue with the tangy rosehip sauce. The dessert "Memories from a trip to Columbia" was excellent too, delicious and so playful with all the different textures. Don't pass up the espresso & treats - I would go back just for them. However, I was not a fan of the pike perch. It was my first time trying this type of fish. It was prepared perfectly so it is a matter of personal preference.

The service was very attentive and quick, always standing by ready to assist and letting me enjoy the meal at my own pace. They clearly explained each course as it arrived. It is very clear that everyone there takes pride in their work - their passion translated into every aspect of the experience. It was a treat to witness such art. Well deserving of their Michelin star!

I took the ferry from Como and walked over to the restaurant. It was easy to get to and Cernobbio was nice to explore with benches that have a great view...

I believe they have a subscription to the Michelin guide. How they can earn 1 star is beyond my imagination, except when looking at the bill, which ticked the Michelin Star premium. Strange location for a tourist such as myself and the tasting menu, in my opinion, was not worth the walk away from the charming part of the village.

However - I'd like to visit again some time, eating a la carte, drinking from the wine list, while enjoying the fabulous service.

The tasting menu was a disappointment, except for the Appetizers and the unbelievable pasta. I could swim in that pasta 🥰 The wine pairing was supposed to offer 5 wines. 4 were presented and 2 of those were somewhat memorable. All in all some €160 pr person with wine pairing, which starts after the Appetizers and ends with the main course = no welcome sparkling and no grappa, port or other sweet stuff with the dessert. Quite a disappointment.

At the end some petit fours 'on the house' were served with the very Good coffee at friendly €4. Thanks again!

Whatever you do, don't leave without tasting at least one Pasta...