Osteria Mercato
After a full day exploring the beautiful Borromean Islands, we returned to Stresa in the evening. A leisurely stroll around this charming lakeside town, followed by a proper dinner, sounded like the perfect way to end the day. And after all that walking, we had certainly earned our calories!
Dinner was at Osteria Mercato, a restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. The setting was relaxed, but the food showed considerably more ambition than your typical neighbourhood osteria.
We began with a trio of starters. The foie gras terrine came with toasted brioche and orange compote, a classic combination of richness and sweetness. The beef tartare was presented rather creatively in crisp pastry tubes, accompanied by confit shallots and Castelmagno cheese. The dried squid with guacamole was an interesting combination, bringing a little crunch and a playful twist to the table.
Next came the saffron tagliatelle, its golden ribbons coated in a glossy sauce. A comforting pasta course before the main event.
And what a main event it was!
Fiorentina di Scottona, a magnificent grilled T-bone steak served with vegetables and roasted potatoes. Beautifully charred on the outside, pink in the middle, with that wonderful beefy flavour I had been craving since arriving in Italy.
Remember our disappointing Bistecca at La Locanda in Milan on the first evening? Well, this was redemption! Finally, a steak that lived up to my expectations. Sometimes, all it takes is another restaurant and a second chance to restore one's faith in Italian beef.
An enjoyable evening with good food and great company, rounding off a wonderful day on Lake Maggiore.
The islands had given us plenty of beautiful memories during the day. Osteria Mercato made sure we ended it on a delicious note. And yes, I went to bed a much happier steak lover!
