Casa Al Prato Apt. A

We enjoyed lunch so much that we booked dinner again for the following day. Both pastas were excellent, especially the unusual blueberry pasta with pumpkin demi glace and mushrooms, and the seafood pasta had a generous mix of seafood. The night before, we’d come in without a reservation and luckily got a table for two. The grilled octopus was the best octopus dish we’ve had, and the seafood risotto was delicious too. A waiter suggested a lovely local white wine that went really well with the meal. Everything we tried was incredibly tasty, and the staff knew the food and wine well and were very friendly. One of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at.

The food was really good, especially the octopus with green bean cream, which I loved. Save room for dessert too: they have pastry chefs, and the desserts are delicious. The servers were very friendly and helped us a lot with the meal.

We never felt hurried here and could have lingered longer without anyone hovering, which we really appreciated. Al Prato is tucked away from Varenna’s busy waterfront, with both indoor and outdoor tables. The atmosphere and service were first rate, and the food was outstanding from the first dish to the last, all prepared with care. It’s a lovely spot. Call weeks ahead if you want to book a table.

The service was great, and the waiters were friendly. Both pastas tasted really good, though I couldn’t tell whether the ravioli was handmade. The tartare was nicely presented, maybe a bit too much on the plate, but I didn’t love it. It seemed more like a paste than freshly cut steak, and tasted sour rather than fresh like a proper tartare.