Arianna Augustoni After a careful renovation phase, the Da Giovannino Bistrot restaurant has reopened its doors, offering an even more evocative and engaging experience. The restyling has not only renewed the spaces, but has also enhanced the breathtaking view of Lake Como and the picturesque panorama that includes the bell tower of the Basilica of San Nicolò di Lecco, with an unprecedented perspective on the city.
The result is an atmosphere that combines elegance and scenic beauty, which can be enjoyed at any time even from the People Cocktail Bar & Café on the ground floor of the hotel, where the lake view becomes a perfect frame for any hour of the day. With a history that exceeds a century of life and a place of honor in the 1956 Michelin Guide, Da Giovannino Bistrot is an essential point of reference for Lecco cuisine.
Its culinary offering attracts a varied clientele: from local institutions to the world of cinema, from local businesses to those simply looking for a relaxing corner with an unparalleled view. With a capacity of 80 seats inside and 100 outside, the restaurant continues to be a place where Lecco's gastronomic tradition merges with innovation.
“The reopening of Da Giovannino Bistrot represents a new chapter in our history. We want to give guests not just a restaurant, but an experience that involves all the senses: from the cuisine, which celebrates the authentic flavors of the lake, to the view that opens onto the wonders of the eastern branch of Lake Como. It is an invitation to rediscover the pleasure of conviviality in a unique context, where past and present meet harmoniously,” said Fabio Dadati, owner and general manager of the restaurant, Hotel Promessi Sposi and Casa sull'Albero.
The kitchen, under the direction of chef Gaetano di Palma, remains anchored to the territory, with dishes that celebrate the short supply chain and the use of seasonal ingredients, for a cuisine that focuses on simplicity and authenticity. The most iconic dish of the lake, rice with perch fillets "in cagnone", continues to conquer the palates of customers, accompanied by other proposals such as trout marinated and smoked in-house, soft egg with gorgonzola fondue and black truffle and broccoli flan with bread and missoltino sauce. Typical dishes such as polenta gnocchi with game ragù and mezzepccheri with Marco D'Oggiono bacon further enrich the menu.
In the second courses, refined dishes such as pike perch with chickpeas and rosemary, cod with artichokes and saffron sauce, veal cutlet breaded in clarified butter and braised beef cheek alternate with more rustic preparations such as Valtellina pan with potatoes and Casera DOP. Each dish is a tribute to the gastronomic tradition of the area, with a selection of raw materials that includes DOP cheeses such as Bitto and Fiorone della Valsassina di Deviscio, cured meats from Brianza by Marco D'Oggiono and bresaola by Pra L'Ottavi, as well as seasonal vegetables and delicacies such as tomato puree from Agro Nocerino Sarnese.
To complete the culinary offering, the menu also offers a selection of pizzas prepared with a double-leavened dough. The wine list offers labels from Northern Italy, but there are also excursions to the south of the peninsula and the islands, to offer a complete overview of Italian wine expressions. The renewed gastronomic experience of Da Giovannino Bistrot is the perfect combination of authentic cuisine, elegance and a panorama that has no equal. A place where taste meets beauty, giving guests an experience that goes beyond a simple meal.
