Al Veluu: Not in any guidebooks…

In the teeny town of Rogaro above Tremezzo on Lake Como sits the idyllic restaurant Al Veluu. It is difficult to imagine a more perfect place for lunch outside - on the side of one of the mountains surrounding Como a few hundred feet up.
The proprietor who was taking care of us explained that "they don't make advertisements because they have enough work and they don't like too many people".


Lunch was one classic after another: Bresaola with Arugula, Reggiano (best Bresaola I've had) and local oil (Lenno xvoo); Carpaccio of Piemonte Beef with Arugula and Preserved Black Nava Truffle; are fried Zucchini Flowers stuffed with Mozzarella and fresh basil. When he took the order and offered my fried zucchini for a side dish I asked if there were any blossoms - "of course there are, I'll go get some from the garden below us". So he did. He also brought back some beautiful figs from the tree just below us on the hill to serve with local prosciutto and salami. After we had a pasta, Penne "Al Veluu" very much like Arrabiata, and Beef Tartare. We also had the excellent Dolcetto that Gaja makes (the only wine anyone can afford from him these days) called Cremes. Light but with some body, punch of purple fruit and well-managed tannin. Unusual for this often ill-behaved grape.


After we sampled cheeses from the area including two different Valtellina (Lombardian cow's milk pressed cheese that does not come to the U.S.) that remind me more of some English pieces and a flavorful fresh local chèvre. Dessert was a very decadent if not refined version of Tiramisu.


This is a remarkably welcoming place serving exactly what you might wish for in this region, with a great view, fair prices and a thoughtful wine list. By the way - you will not find this place in any guidebooks, they avoid being listed. Go to Lake Como, up the western shore maybe halfway to Tremezzo, look for signs for Rogaro up the hill that overlooks the lake and then look for signs for Al Veluu.
http://www.alveluu.com/