Ristorante "Al Vecchio Faggio" — Restaurant in Comunità Montana del Piambello

What a brilliant restaurant just up the hill from Porto Ceresio! We loved the atmosphere outside but I am sure it will also be nice inside, very cosy. Upon entering we noticed the fantastic wine collection about which more later. Slight disappointment at the start was the digital only menu; you have to whip your phone out to read it. Call me old fashioned but I like a physical menu.

But then the food; it was amazing. Generous portions and beautifully presented. Special highlights were the beef tartare and the very creative version of a melanzane. But the chateaubriand was the star of the evening; I have never had a better one. Perfectly cooked, gorgeous in taste. Amazing. Even better than the also at the table prepared and cut beef tartare.

The mushroom risotto was very good and I loved the presentation in a copper pan at the table but could do with a bit more seasoning.

We had some desserts of which the chocolate lava cake was the highlight. I ordered it but our sons ate it.

The wine list is extensive and as you have to read it on your phone you are better off asking the sommelier for advice. He recommended two reds, both of which were fantastic and cost 25 and 30 euro respectively. A steal for a restaurant of this stature.

Great evening, great...

Don't let the understated atmosphere of this place fool you; diehard foodies are in for a treat! The matron of the house awaits you at the door to show you in, we sat outside in a pleasant garden patio with a lovely herb garden, our first indication that the chef knew what he was doing. The service was familiar and courteously friendly. A white Verdicchio was poured and a generous variety of fresh breads was passed around. We started with cured goose carpaccio that looked deceptively simple but captured your taste buds with subtle orange flavors. Then came a salmon tartare with a super light horseradish garnish that had us licking our fingers. This was followed by an amazing vegetarian tartare that blew my mind. Then came an exquisite pumpkin ravioli with salmon roe and a slow cooked egg yolk. The next dish, served as cappuccino, was a delightful surprise of a delicate porcini mushroom bisque. After that, eggplant with carmelized skin and a frothy fennel foam. Everything was absolutely delicious, including the panna cotta dessert with meringue flakes, berries and an apple mint sorbet. We engaged both the owners and the chef, Stefano Rano, in titillating conversations on cooking and the love of food. Will...

The mushroom risotto here became my favorite Italian dish instead of carbonara and tagliatelle ragu alla bolognese. I don’t even like eating mushrooms, you could even say hate. The flavor of this one felt so rich and nuanced versus other ones I’ve had.

I also tried beef tartare here for the first time. While I didn’t personally like it, you can tell the quality is really good and I know my friends would love this place.

Other than the food, the staff was amazing, the restaurant was beautiful, we were glad driving 1.5hr to this place because it was worth it and I hope this place is just as good when we return to Italy in the future.

This place is a must go!!! Best restaurant we went to in...