We were racing by in the rain, pulling our luggage from the ferry to the train station when we…read morequickly walked past the Break Cafe. There was laughter, glasses clinking and the smells of wonderful food emanating from their door.
We just watched our bus pass us on the streets and knew it was another hour and 15 minutes before the next one would be along to whisk us up to Lugano for the night.
We walked back, drug our bags in, took off our rain gear and bellied up to the bar.
From that moment on, this random stop at a random ristorante and bar became our very favorite moment with the locals on our European honeymoon.
3 fine gentlemen at the end of the bar offered us tapas, starters, antipasto, appetizers, whatever your country calls it and immediately the wine started pouring and it did not stop for the next hour.
Another 2 couples joined in before too long and the 2 bartenders, one of whom, was the female owner who had relocated from the UK.
The four different languages posed little barrier. We were simply people who wanted to eat, drink, laugh and revel in each other's company and smiles.
We exchanged pictures of children, dogs, spouses and laughter about marriage, as they discovered that we were on our honeymoon.
Never have I been so well cared for or instantly accepted by the locals, the owner, and fellow travelers.
The next time we come back, we will skip Bellagio, stay in Menaggio and return the kindness.
The prices were unbelievably affordable with house wines at €2.50 per glass, free appetizers and super affordable dinner plates. I would rank the prices as $ -$$, not $$-$$$, as others have previously ranked.
The cleanest bathroom in all of Italy with a baby changing station and a wonderful back patio.
Do not miss this place. We wish we had stayed longer and taken a later train.
It was one of the memories that we will cherish and talk about forever.
