Nelle Vigne...among the vines!

I've written many times about this fabulous food favorite of ours, and this trip, enjoying it with Jon and Ann was no different. Rather than food photos..which are amazing, here are scenery shots to entice you to come eat here when in Piemonte.

 Ok, 1 dessert photo...

Ok, 1 more food photo, but that's it!

When you consider the view, the beauty of the facility, the 5 appetizers, the 3 pastas and dessert, all for 24 euros or $27 which includes tax and tip..need I say any more or simply...mic drop:) you young kids will get that reference....

Tartuffo...truffles...nuf said!

Planning our morning activity on the lovely patio and sitting area,

while Jon and Peggy hiked up behind our b and b, we made our plans for lunch at Buon Padre, and their amazing tjarin ( totally thin noodles), but God had another idea. Since they were closed on Thursdays for lunch, why not black truffles for lunch? The castle we were directed to was also closed, but just down the street, an outdoor patio. First course included melted cheese covered in black truffle. 2 photos to remember this one:

Then came the pasta....tagliettelli with hmmmm. Ok...black truffles:)

 To give you an inside look at the truffles and their slicing tool, I put my car keys in the frame to give you a sense of size!

So you might wonder about the cost...in the U.S., you'd pay about as much for the 1st year at a private college, here the whole meal with wine cost the same as a Squeeze Inn double cheeseburger with skirt, fries and soda (although those are pretty awesome too!)

Ty and Paola...to Alessandro and Frederica

After taking our last photo in Como to capture the evening glory from our balcony looking over the dining patio to Varenna, we left Ty and Paola and took the 2 hour drive to Alba, and the Casa Ressia. Alessandro, Frederica and their 6 month old, Leonardo...what a cutie!

A delicious dinner at Rabaya, for 3, as yours truly had some form of vertigo most of the day (feeling much better today). Trooping on however, the team really enjoyed their patio view over Barbaresco. Known for black truffles, veal and pasta, the 35 Euro tasting menu was a great, and delicious, bargain..since one dinner could be split in 2.

 Veal 2 ways...crudo (raw like tartar) and sliced like roast beef.

 A nice eggplant mousse on a cheese fondue like foundation.

 Followed by Veal roasted with fresh garden veg.

 Dessert for 1 included everything on this tray...

We also we're treated to a few bites of watermelon....to finish the experience.

Our last Ty dinner on Como.. :(

An amazing combination of Puglia (Southern Italy inspired) dishes and beautiful weather made for a grand time. Ty is the ultimate chef comedian!

ArPePe...pronounced. "R pep pay"

Our second visit to this nebbiola focused vineyard..and due to the intensely hilly terrain, every grape is picked by hand! Isabella remembered us from 2 years ago and this visit was just as lovely.

 These 2 great looking folks were Polish, so we hit it off like old family! Wonder why?

On the drive home we spotted our new car. Jim, this is the perfect clown car #2!

Trattoria Romana

Stopping for lunch after crossing the northern end of Lake Como, Trip Advisor directed us gloriously. We found the only parking space and thankfully it was empty.

Actually, our lunch was surprising, as it was in the middle of a tiny courtyard, but with homemade pasta.

 You could tell from the next photo we were saving ourselves for the pasta course, as you notice the uneaten scrap of prosciutto.

The last, and most important course.., the boom! Espresso with the right amount of crema.

If it's Tuesday....

Breakfast on a beautiful Tuesday morning, and I had to photograph our wonderful Irish helper. Kate has known Paola and Ty for over 20 years, and has worked here the last 2 summers. She is a wonderful storyteller, did I mention she was Irish, and when asked how to say thank you in Irish, we discovered it translates to "a thousand thanks". Of course she says it as a Tousand Tanks...Isn't it interesting that in Italian, the expression is Milli Grazie..or a thousand thanks. Hmm... Of course in America we say, thanks a million, always wanting to one up other countries:)

Needing at least 1 group photo, we thousand thanked Kate for helping capture this moment looking from our breakfast patio over to Bellagio. It's a beautiful sunny morning with weather expecting to remain calm and in the mid 80s. Great day for a drive to Valtellina.. More on that later!

Pasta in Menaggio

Dinner in Menaggio included a stroll along the waterside for gelato, and started with a lovely restaurant serving home made pasta. One picture is all I'll post, but know it all was delicious. Tomorrow we head to Arpepe for a 2 hour tour and tasting of their Nebbiolo...could be fun!

Rifugio Menaggio...revisited!

About an hour straight up and you're there! This picture is taken after you've done the steep climbing up through the trees on narrow, rock covered terrain. ( remember, you can always click on any photo to see it larger)

When you arrive, the view of the lake, and Bellagio is spectacular, especially on such a clear day.

Of course, after you arrive, the first lesson you want to take is "Selfies 101"

Then you realize everyone pretty much speaks English and everyone believes they are professional photographers...so we give them a chance.

Peggy proceeded to carry on a bit further to take some photos looking into Switzerland!

Jon and Ann took this opportunity to wander the streets of Menaggio, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves as well. Alas, it was time for us to hike back down and enjoy the drive to lower elevations. This was one of the clearest skies we've seen in a long time!

Silly Wabbit....

Thunder, lightning and amazing food made this Sunday supper one to remember. Ty prepared stuffed zucchini flowers for appetizer, then an eggplant and Parmigiano lasagna, with smoked trout tucked in and around...then the roulade of rabbit, finished with chocolate cream cups, supposedly using only apricots as the fruit filling, however, yours truly asked the chef if cherry was potentially used. He said no, then checked with his sous chef who said actually, yes...thank you very much!

The thunder and lightning over the Bellagio mountains lit up the restaurant to the delight of mostly English diners! The English are still rocking from the Brexit vote..not surprisingly. It has reduced the Clinton/Trump conversations twenty fold.