“In my kitchen, the transformation of ingredients always prioritizes respecting their integrity, soul, and essence.”
Mistral Restaurant has been on our Bellagio agenda on each trip. We dined at Mistral with Judy and Mike, with Debbie and Scott, and now with Marsha, Jason, Sue and Jonathan. Each visit has been exemplary.
What can you expect for your evening…and evening is the time that you will want to dine at Mistral, as that is the time of romance.
A gated entrance is your first encounter with the Grand Hotel Serbelloni. This is a very private property, which makes it an exceptional place to stay. After being welcomed by the welcoming guard, here is where you approach the front door.
Welcome to the Grand Hotel Serbelloni
As we were a few minutes early for our meal, we made ourselves comfortable in the beautiful common area. Be aware that there is a dress codes, as shown on the Mistral website. “Please note that the dress code for our restaurant is Smart Casual, with mandatory long trousers and closed shoes for men. Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable”. As you can see, we did well with our garments…very well, indeed.
From left to right: Marsha, Jonathan, Sue, Jason, and Ellen. I’m behind the camera.
As we were seated at our table with a wonderful lake view, we found that even the table setting was special.
Check out the chargers.
And, then there was one of the most creative table setting that I’ve ever seen. Here is what I’m talking about.
If you’ve been to Italy before, you’ve been asked whether you want still or acqua frizzante (sparkling water). When it comes time for a refill of your water glass, the wait staff wants to be sure you get just what you ordered, so here is what you will find at the Mistral…
The blue babble secured in the bottom of your glass…acqua frizzante. The green babble…still water. A very creative way to avoid a refill mix-up.
Though one does need to stay hydrated in Italy (you can only drink so much wine during your day), it’s time for food now…right. Rather than trying to reproduce our menu for the night because it does change withe the season and executive chef Ettore Bocchia’s creativity, here is a direct link to their MENU. As the link to the menu may also vary with the season, HERE is the Mistral Restaurant’s weblink.
And, this next glass needs no introductions…and refills should be obvious.
Here is our group of six after we have gazed at the menu. That is Lago di Como (aka Lake Como) in the background.
From seven o’clock position and going clockwise: Jason, Ellen (wife), me, Sue, unknown waiter in background, Jonathan, Marsha.
Just below is a photo from the Mistral website. That’s the same premier table at which we sit…but ours is larger, isn’t it?
Dining room photo from Mistral website
It looks like an amuse bush has arrived. Right now, I have no idea what it was.
Here our cameriere gives Ellen and Jason an explanation.
Was it delicious? Read on dear reader…
Yes, of course it was delicious…we are at Mistral Restaurant, we are in the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, we are in Bellagio, and we are in Italy. And just below is the proof of the deliciousness.
It looks like Jonathan has ordered an oyster appetizer.
I forget what this next one was, but it seems to involve caviar.
Next, how about a bit of “ethical” and “natural” foie gras? Yes, please.
A bit of something from the water has also been ordered.
Sue and Jonathan enjoy a French-style dramatic presentation.
Dinner is a peach melba with a homemade vanilla gelato…made right before our eyes using liquid nitrogen as the refrigerant. It was quite a show.
And, here is the final result.
Let’s not rush it. A pre-dessert toast with a delightful dessert wine is in order.
For Ellen and me, it’s a post-dinner Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni tradition to have our photo taken on the stairs of the common area.
Those of you who know Ellen and me well may notice that our photo was taken in the era of 2012. And, as Debbie and Scott were dining at Mistral with us that evening, we may as well add them to the portrait gallery, also.
Debbie and Scott from 2012
Dinner is complete. We are well satisfied, and we have had sufficient to suffice (a saying of my dear mother). It’s time to say arrivederci.
A beautiful evening awaits as we depart.
But wait, there’s more. When we arrive back at our Hotel Suisse [which is a restaurant masquerading as a hotel, and at least the restaurant portion of the place is decent] the desk clerk is in a mood for a dance with dapper Jason.
A fitting end to a wonderful meal at the Mistral Restaurant in the Hotel Villa Serbelloni.
I hope that you don’t mind having to watch us eat a wonderful meal in which you can’t participate…but alas, you certainly can…just as great friends Marty and Tim did just this past April.
If you find yourself dining at Mistral and you see us there, we will be happy to…let me think this through…let’s just say that I will be pleased to take you photo on the stairs as a souvenir of your visit.
But as always, I say ciao for now
Steve