Balmone In Maggiora

23/05/2026: CAFE DE LA SERA. Today, more than ever, the story of one of Arona's iconic lakeside venues continues. Let's put aside the fond memories of an after-dinner venue for the night; the management of these dynamic young people has created an incredibly contemporary and high-quality format. High-end themed cocktail menu, an impressive wine list packed with big names, provenances, and discoveries, and a small winemaker you'll rarely find so refined and well-structured. The youthful atmosphere has remained, and that's wonderful, and if we want to eat in the "Small" Room, which is more of a restaurant, it's truly a pleasure. What did I mean by Format? The food! We enjoyed it and had fun. The quality was top-notch, the cuisine using excellent ingredients, and for some dishes, you could choose a Tappa portion or a whole plate. I challenge you... reading the menu, you'll want to try everything. We also tried the traditional Plin, and here we truly got a standing ovation because the handmade quality beats even the Langhe-style establishments. Congratulations! DON'T MISS THE CAFE AT ANY TIME OF YOUR EVENING, the dear "Old" Legendary CAFE.

12/05/2026: The work and research of Nicolò, Jacopo, and all their collaborators deserves praise, and deserves it in writing. Rarely have I felt so at ease in these parts, and have I been able to appreciate such extensive research, the fruit of a passion I would dare to call voracious, yet conscious. Housed in a historic venue in the city of Arona, with a familiar, simple, and meticulously maintained exterior and interior overlooking Lake Maggiore, today this venue has a clear vision and a clearly defined direction. Their wine research, their skill in the kitchen, their unpretentious and unpretentious hospitality, as well as their desire to share their experiences and their thirst for listening to those who can add to their already profound knowledge, combined with their immense talent, have created a place that can make—and already does?—a huge difference on these shores. Work of this kind should be encouraged, supported, and perhaps even, in a certain sense, defended and protected, because it is increasingly rare and uncommon. In times when it's easy to talk about standardization, speed, superficiality, and disinterest, through places like this, which make wine and food a matrix of bonds and connections, it's possible to be amazed and moved again, to appreciate what's around you because there's so much that's good and beautiful. Step into the Café without any preconceptions, let yourself be drawn in, don't stop at the small selection of wines by the glass, and ask for the wine list without hesitation. The research has already been done, and you'll find someone who can guide you and perhaps instill a touch of passion that will make you more aware if you're not already. And if you already are, you'll find someone to share and explore with, and it will be a great celebration. Take the sharing plates, but don't miss the first courses, which are very skilled in the kitchen, and you might unexpectedly end up eating the best ravioli del plin you've ever had. Enjoy!