La Vecchia Cantina di Albusciago In Sumirago

15/05/2026: Excellent food, generous portions. Served by the owner Bruno: extremely kind, knowledgeable, fast, and a mind reader (you don't even have time to think about it until you're served!).

02/05/2026: Farfalle pasta with shrimp and zucchini, cuttlefish with peas, mixed salad, bread, water, wine (not just a quarter, but a whole bottle), coffee, and, to top it all, a generous helping of bergamot cream liqueur. The business lunch menu is the affordable and increasingly rare €13, all-inclusive, with various options and a different menu every day. On another occasion, I enjoyed the "octopus Luciana-style" (€13) and the "calamarata with squid" (€17) à la carte. There are numerous "made in Terryland" pizzas, among which the Pugliese and Calabrese stand out (and I'd love to see them). The latter represents the essence of the restaurant, typically Southern Italy, with its inevitable kitsch overtones. They may turn a blind eye to aesthetes, but are tolerated by those who find them entertaining. However, they are compensated by the opportunity to read books, some of them quite interesting. An unusual and commendable strength. Finally, the large display of calendars from the worthy Carabinieri and the venerable Guardia di Finanza (Financial Police) perhaps explains the existence of "Sugo alla Corte d'Assise," available for €5. Its origins are well worth knowing from the friendly, hard-working owners, originally from Gioiosa Ionica. Long live the "sardella."