Baita Belvedere

We know how to cook on our own. We have lovely dinners :)

But sometimes you have to go out and see what the local cuisine has to offer! After a day of walking around the gardens of the local villas...

We headed out to dinner! The owner of the house we're renting also owns a restaurant up the hill from Bellagio. He and his wife also makes cheese, yogurt, jams, and he runs a shoe store in town. And he has 4 kids. And he has a beautiful garden here, and a house of his own to take care of. Some people have way too much energy! :) We got picked up just outside our own lovely place by the owner and driven up to Baita Belvedere Restaurant. The views were spectacular.

Hazy due to lots of rain before, and now intense heat. Bellagio down below!

The sun finally set behind the mountains. Humidity contributing to the haze.

The atmosphere is amazing, and the views are unbelievable. We met much of his family, who were working there, and his adorable 3 year old daughter. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Polenta seems to be their specialty and came in many different forms on the menu. Everything we had was tasty, and we were too stuffed to have dessert (how unlike us!!). After dinner, we got a ride back home in their van, which they use to shuttle people to and from the restaurant if you book in advance. No need to bother with the windy 10 minute drive yourself!

Afterwards, there were incredible fireworks from Villa del Balbianello. (Where we couldn't go today because it was closed all day for a private event... wonder who's?) And I LOVE fireworks! And this was the second firework show that I've seen this week! Does it get any better?

Ok, who is awesome enough to rent the place for the entire day, and then get a fireworks show?