Semi di grano Home Restaurant — Restaurant in Perledo

I am writing my review today after not even arriving at the restaurant and eating. I had booked my wife and I a table for our honeymoon trip in Italy a month ago. Everything was going fine but on the day of our reservation for Semi di grano there was a severe thunderstorm. We were planning on taking the ferry from Bellagio and then a taxi to the restaurant (Easy enough we thought). Turns out the storm was very bad and there was hail and the power got knocked out in Varenna and the roads were flash flooding. I contacted the restaurant ahead of our reservation time as we were planning on arriving a bit early to be safe. I informed the restaurant of the situation and that due to us being from another country and using a E-sim card with the storm my phone no longer allowed me to contact or call the taxi driver/companies to get a ride to the restaurant. I specifically asked if the restaurant could help arrange pick up for us and gave our location. All we got in return was a couple more numbers we can call for a taxi (forgetting that I told them I can’t call anyone at the moment) We hunkered down for the worst bit of the storm and kept trying to get a ride to the restaurant while we were freezing and soaking wet. Eventually the storm started to pass but it was now 9:30ish pm and we were suppose to arrive at 8:00pm. The final shuttle to Bellagio is at 23:20. And the drive to and from the restaurant is about 25 mins. So there was no way we could get to the restaurant eat and get back to make it to our hotel. We contacted the restaurant and informed we would not be able to make it and to see if we could switch our reservation to the next day. This is where the bad review takes place. Instead of just informing us that tomorrow is fully booked and the deposit given to secure your spot is non refundable. We were told that tomorrow is fully booked and that our table was held so they will be keeping the deposit since they didn’t fill it with anyone else. I understand if that is your policy but it is a bit different that we couldn’t make it do to a storm causing roads to fluid and cellular services to stop working. As well there was a lot of talk about how they are going to replace the table with someone else so that they can make more money. Which completely turned us off. I don’t care how much money you make as the restaurant. The fact that all they seemed to care about was the profit and not customer experience was a big let down. I...

This place… wow. Nestled in some ancient back alley in a random mountain town, the vision of one young chef came to life for my wife and I on our honeymoon. If you want a top-notch romantic experience in a local hidden gem, get reservations immediately.

The ambiance was delightful and beyond cosy. Candlelight, rock walls, and with SIX tables inside only, you know you’ll be cared for.

We asked our eager and friendly server to just feed us, choose everything from the wine to the food, and he was more than happy to.

As for the dishes, they were at best 10 out of 10. At worst, 7 out of 10. He uses very local ingredients, from fish from Lake Como to herbs in their garden. The salmon carpaccio and egg appetizer were mind-blowing. It came with homemade bread, which we happily used for the sauces. Next we had the goat cheese risotto and celery pesto on homemade pasta with sausage, and this is where we should have stopped our meal. It was already too much food with the appetizers and we wanted to eat every last bit, but had to pace ourselves for two more “secondi” plates. The main courses were “lake fish” with bacon(?), which could have used a bit more punchy flavor, and venison, which was luxurious. For dessert, we found where the chefs adventurous spirit took risks, but sadly didn’t pay off. A crème brûlée with arugula salad on top, which was confusing, and a marmalade cake, which was fine but forgettable. It hurts to put a 4 star on food, because the effort and expertise deserves more, but when the big risks don’t land, one must be honest.

I STRONGLY recommend this place, and we can’t wait to see what his menu will have next time we visit...

The place will go down as a core memory of a month long European vacation…

Every star well deserved (maybe one day a Michelin)- this is place punches way above its weight class. I went here for Sunday lunch, you can make reservations - no doubt it will be mandatory with as good as it is. I asked for the link via Google Chat. There is a small reservation fee that is deducted from the bill.

We drove over from Perlee, about 2-3km to the south. I wouldn’t recommended to walk from Varenna unless you’re part goat. The elevation gain is about 400 meters or 1,300 feet. I suspect there is a bus or taxi.

Once at the car parking area there is a series of small signs and white lanterns that wind you through a series of alleys leading you to the restaurant.

We sat outside where sunbeams cut through the swaying overhead grapevines that shade the outside section.

The menu has just enough and not too much listed. You will realize why it is brief, as everything that comes out is perfect.

The wine list is sizable.

We had the following:

Charred Salad seems like something Chef Francis Mallman conjured up it was great.

The Berry Risotto will have you asking about the cheese and learning how to emulsify berries to try to recreate it at home.

The Rabbit was the best I have ever had. A great reduction with a wonderfully caramelized onion. It will have you buying beagle dog so you can hunt them and try to recreate it.

The Blueberry Yogurt Cake is one of the few times you can say moist and it be appropriate.

The Italian espresso also...