Albergo Ristorante Verbano — Restaurant in Stresa

We stayed for 3 nights and could not get enough of the views from every window and from the small balcony. The hotel is old and charming and the staff was helpful. There were 2 evening events that took place, a very quiet wedding reception and a noisy business conference dinner. We still kept the balcony doors open most of the time and sat on the 2 little chairs provided, eating our bread, cheese and prosciutto, while drinking our wine. We ate 2 dinners in their restaurant and enjoyed the service and food. Hint: Leave the island in the mid morning, to avoid the crowds and return late afternoon or evening. The island is so quiet and relaxing in the evenings and nights. Reserve rooms during the week days, not weekends when there is an event to be expected. Pros: The Views and the quiet nights. We stayed in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, but this was, by far, the most romantic and amazing view from the room. Cons: Ferries run until about 7:00 pm. They will call for a water taxi after hours to return you to the island, but it may be a wait and at a different stop than where you are at. The bathroom has a large tub with a handheld shower wand but no shower curtains, which make it difficult to shower.

Reserve a room with a balcony facing Isola Bella. We loved room #1. Although you will be just above the area where there are dining events, the view is to die for. If there is an event, just pull the balcony chairs inside and sit by the glass doors until it...

We had lunch here after 1 year. It was out 4th or 5th time, but I have to share a negative update this time. The service got significantly worse: we got a mediocre welcome, after ordering they rushed all the dishes out, the starter got to us while my wife was washing her hands and it was cold before she came back. Our main was also left there 4-5 min before a server could bring it to us, arriving cold. We were also told that picking individual dishes from the menu would mean getting a larger sized version, but comparing with our pictures from last year they weren’t at all, it was basically like getting a tiny bite from the menu for a massive overprice. They served our meal in 30 min like they do at a Chinese all you can eat, but the price was still close to a Michelin starred place. Honestly when I came in the last I had an amazing experience and the food is still good, but for this price the service can’t be left to juniors that are still learning the craft and who probably used to work at McDonalds before. That leaves the guests a poor taste, as after spending 200€ for a couple of tiny dishes you wonder if you were not better served by one of the cheaper...

Ok, so the location is great and service welcoming, but make sure the chef is working today before ordering. Apparently according to wait staff he had left early today which left us with good ingredients butchered to death. Island of the fishermen,and fish was overcooked to mash that you will not get from worst tuna cans in Pennymarkt. Their sous vide cooker is either wrong temp or who ever makes the food doesn't know the least of how to make fish, which obviously on this island is a suprise. Risotto saved the 68€ degustation menu, but rest was made by a temp cook (not chef) probably based on pictures all horribly gone wrong. Extremely expensive for the quality. Staff was courteous but we're not compensating for the disaster. We sent one dish back, but on second one just waited for the disaster to end and dived into the nice wine bottle. Order pasta or risotto and you are more secure. But enjoy the views and service and decent wine list. 200€ spent, you'll get Michelin places with same price. Like said before order check the actual chef is there...

Ate here twice, for the first and...