Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous!

Back when we were staying in Praiano, we met an Australian couple who told us about a very unique restaurant on the only island on Lago Como.  It sounded really interesting so we Googled it to find out more about the Lucanda del'Isola Comacina and then decided we wanted to eat there.  The following is from the restaurant website:

In 1948, the silk manufacturer Carlo Sacchi and the speedboat racing champion, Sandro De Col, notwithstanding the island's curse, contacted Lino Nessi with the proposal to start up a Restaurant on the Island, at that time only inhabited by snakes. Sandro De Col suddenly died in a motorboat accident, while Carlo Sacchi was killed at Villa d'Este by Countess Bellentani. Having lost his heart, Lino Nessi was about to give it up when the English writer Francis Dale suggested him an exorcism, now known as "the exorcism of fire".  Since then, every time somebody has a meal at the Locanda dell'Isola, the fire ceremony is performed. 

From a neglected, cursed, excommunicated land, a new tradition of hospitality was born and still thrives, open to everybody, no matter what nationality or religion.  ........The fame of the Locanda began with Lino Nessi (known as "Cotoletta", i.e. "Cutlet") and continues thanks to Benvenuto Puricelli, the present owner. A stopover here is a must for travellers visiting Europe, retracing the steps of several famous people from all over the world.  The Locanda is "an exclusive, unique place, different from all the other restaurants".  It is right on the lake, is bright even in the coldest months , and it is the ideal setting for a meal in summer, thanks to the gentle breeze blowing from the lake. It can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Neither the original menu created by Cotoletta nor the flavours have been changed by Benvenuto Puricelli.

 

View of the Lucinda from the ferry dock

Having read the guest book on the website, we knew that we would be dining where the likes of the Gianni Versace, George Clooney, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, Robert Matchup, Sylvester Stallone, Jurgen Klansman, Ali McGraw, Victoria Beckham, Franz Beckenbauer, Samantha Egger, Fabio Testi, Gina Lollobrigida, Ursula Andress, Kirk Douglas, Joe Cocker, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Konrad Adenauer, Lee Jacocca, and Billy Joel, to name just a few, had dined.  While there was no one famous there today, at least as far as we knew, we still thought it was going to be a bit of a "lifestyles of the rich and famous" experience.  As the website says, the set menu has not changed for 70 years and involves 7 (or was it 8?) courses.  The fixed price with wine is 73 Euros per person - not cheap but worth every centime (or whatever the Italians call them).

On the ferry there, we met up with the English couple (Colin and Brenda) whom we'd told about the restaurant yesterday.  It turns out they have lived in LA for the last 22 years when Colin's work took him there.  When we'd chatted with them before, we hadn't really found out much about them. Having now met up with them again, we quickly decided we all wanted to share a table.  So, the effusive owner greeted us and quickly showed us to a table for 4 on the terrace where the feast began.  None of us was too sure how formal the restaurant was going to be, especially given some of the previous guests.  It quickly became apparent this was an authentic Italian-rustic style restaurant with substantial food casually served.  The first course was a slice of tomato topped with a sliver of lemon.  With it, a large loaf of bread was plopped on the table from which we were expected to break off any bits or chunks we wanted.  Quickly a bottle of white wine appeared followed by a plate of delicious ham and thinly sliced dried beef.  Then came bowls offering a wide selection of vegetables including roasted onions (delicious), beets, carrots, celery, cauliflower, white beans and some bitter tasting green which didn't appeal to any of us.  The next course was fresh trout which apparently had met its demise earlier in the day.  This was followed by a platter of fried chicken.  Next, there was a chunk of Parmesan carved from a huge half-wheel by Benvenuto and served to us off his knife.  Then came dessert which was a slice of orange served with vanilla ice cream and a banana liqueur.  That wasn't the end of it though, next came the flourish known as the "exorcism of fire" which involved a long speech by the owner in Italian which we could not understand at all and him lighting a cauldron of brandy and adding sugar to it.  This was then mixed with coffee and, after a taste test by a gal selected by the owner as the "island's vestal virgin" (doubt she was one looking at her and her boyfriend!), it was served to everyone.  During the entire meal, the wine kept flowing.      

 

The arrival of the trout

 

And, it was simple (with only salt, lemon, olive oil and pepper) but delicious

Benvenuto serving the Parmesan

And, making the speech for the "exorcism of fire" ceremony

During lunch, we had great conversations with Brenda and Colin.  From our chat with them yesterday we knew that he had had something to do with film photography.  We also were "of accord" with them in terms of politics and some other stuff.  They'd already told us they were from London but moved to LA because of his career.  Then, as the conversation progressed we delved more into his work.  Let me say that Colin is very low key, unassuming man and doesn't offer up too much unless you ask him pretty direct questions.  Brenda, on the other hand, is quite chatty and, as the conversation progressed, divulged that Colin had accomplished quite a bit in the film industry on the technical side - never did quite figure out exactly what so will have to research that.  However, he is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.  When it came to the subject of Oscars, it turns out he has 4 - yes, FOUR!  Brenda kept saying "they are only in the technical category" to which I responded "They are bloody Oscars and I don't care what category they are for!". So, in a way, we ended up having lunch with a lovely couple who quite realistically could be characterized as part of the "rich and famous" (they'd been on the red carpet in LA many times) - much more importantly, however, they were a lot of fun and we have promised to stay in touch.  If you want to find out more about Colin's career, check out Colin Mossman on Google.  One of his sons is in a rock band and the other one works in the film industry.

Nawal and me with the Mossmans

Nawal, Brenda and Colin

Brenda, Nawal and me with Benvenuto

One of the views from the Locanda