We had a fantastic time at Salice Blu! We paid for a transfer from our hotel and were picked up at our hotel by Chef Luigi. We started with a private wine tasting with small bites in the restaurant's wine cellar. It turns out that Luigi is not only a chef and a driver, but also a wine sommelier. He was fun and outgoing as he taught us a lot about area wines. He taught my husband how to properly open a bottle and serve it. Little did we know that was going to come in handy a little later in the evening... After our tasting, we went upstairs and were seated in one of their dining rooms with a view of the kitchen. Another table ordered a bottle of wine, so Luigi had my husband come up and open and serve the wine to show what he had learned. At the time, there were only two other couples in the dining room and this got us all chatting and friendly as they rooted my husband on. Dinner was delicious and plated beautifully. During the evening, Luigi would pop in and out of the dining room and kitchen in between holding other tastings in the cellar and transferring people to and from their hotel. Because he is a jack of all trades, it did take a while after we were done with our meal to get a ride back to our hotel. read more

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We had the pleasure of doing a wine tasting in the wine cellar with Chef Luigi. He is a bundle of energy and passion. He even instructed me on how to properly open a bottle and present table side. So much fun. We went upstairs for dinner and he had me demonstrate my new skills to an actual customer. The food is highly imaginative and delicious. It was an Extrodinare evening and one I will never forget. I could not recommend Chef Luigi and his restaurant any higher. I can not wait for my next time read more

Salice Blu Bellagio - Muscle ravioli with roasted rep pepper sauce - Italian Near Me - Bellagio, LC

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This was not just dinner, but truly a culinary experience. The chef/owner greeted us and led us through perfect pairings beautifully adorning our plates. read more

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We sat in the wine cellar(beautiful), asked them to bring us whatever they recommend and the rest is history! As a native son of a shrimp fisherman in a food city- New Orleans - I had become quite a picky snob about fresh seafood and produce. Thank you Chef Luigi Gandola for opening my eyes to one of the best meals we've ever experienced! You honestly changed our lives with your personality and especially your menu/wine pairings. We will be back. read more

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Everything was perfection! The food and service was exemplary! Look no further for a dining experience!

The food at this restaurant is not only exquisite, but is served beautifully on the plate. Chef Luigi is very interactive with this guests, and the wait staff is very attentive. You will fully enjoy an evening of great food at this restaurant. read more

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Chef Luigi is an impressive guy. Just ask him, and he'll tell you. Repeatedly. Sadly, his skills at self-aggrandizement don't extend to his culinary capabilities. A group of us were staying nearby and thought Salice Blu would provide for a pleasant, upscale dining experience. What we got instead was more akin to a Twilight Zone episode. Upon being seated, we were not allowed to order the cocktails we wanted; rather, Luigi insisted on devising drinks at the table based on our general preferences. So, the vodka soda I really wanted ended up being some bizarre vodka-citrus-whiskey concoction that tasted exactly like cough syrup. We ordered a cheese plate to hold us over until the first of our tasting courses came. After asking multiple times, it finally arrived an hour and 15 minutes later, right along with the first course. Of the four courses that eventually followed (at a rate of about one per hour): 1) the vegetable was adequate (though mostly just ricotta filling); 2) the pasta was surprisingly good (confirming my long-held suspicion that you can make pretty much anything palatable if you douse it with enough truffle oil): 3) the fish sampler was horrid (I'm convinced one of the samples was actual cat food); and 4) the dessert consisted of stale phyllo dough layered with what tasted like store brand raspberry jam. The entire meal lasted nearly four hours for an amount of food that could have easily been delivered and devoured in less than half an hour. At one point, I remarked that we probably could have flown to Venice, had dinner, and flown back in less time than it took to wrap things up at Salice Blu. To make matters worse, about midway through the eternal meal, the outside temperature had become so chilly, and the mosquitoes so aggressive, that we asked if we could be moved inside. They said they could, but would need to charge us 6 Euros each to re-seat us. Rather than give in to such a ridiculous demand, a couple of us walked back to our house to get jackets and mosquito bracelets. (Needless to say, we had no fears that the next course would arrive before we got back.) As for the service itself, it was... odd. The waitress was pleasant but perpetually flustered. Even a request for a fork was met with confusion. The young bus boy looked sad and scared - so much so that we were tempted to ask him to blink if he was being held hostage. At long last, our meal ended - luckily, the sun was not yet coming up - and we were able to make our way home, scratching our heads at how this place got such good reviews. Or maybe it was just the mosquitoes. read more

We really lucked out to get a reservation at this spot! A good friend recommended it and I'm so glad she did! Not only was the dinner delicious but the service was impeccable. read more

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I've never been failed twice in the same night, but both Yelp and TripAdvisor let me down. My friend and I were looking for a respectable restaurant on our last night in Lake Como. We thought we'd shell out the extra cash in exchange for something off the beaten-tourist-path. We trekked 30 minutes to get to this restaurant, only to see it empty. Not a good sign on a Friday night, but what the hell, it had awesome ratings. The service was quick and friendly. The ambiance was lackluster. And the music, well my dentist office plays better. But what really missed the mark was the food. My friend and I are spoiled given that we have endless options of good food in NYC, so we had middle of the road expectations for this place even with the wonderful reviews. I ordered the lobster dish and my friend got the seafood pasta. Both were mediocre at best. The lobster was not fresh, was super small and was chewy. The scallop was good, however it was small as well. The other two servings that came with my meal were unmemorable. For 28euro, I expected much more. My friend's dish tasted as though it had been seasoned with aquarium water. There was nothing good about this meal, other than the lovely presentation and the cheap wine. Also, there was a pane e coperto fee of 3euro per person. Give me a break. We both left hungry, sad and confused b/c of all the great reviews. Perhaps it was an off-night, but we won't be returning. read more

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What an amazing dinner experience! The food was incredible, the staff made us feel super welcome and right at home, and the environment and ambiance was perfect. My boyfriend and I made a reservation the day of and got to the restaurant early, where they seated us with a drink. We ordered the 5 course flavors and memories meal, which was extremely delicious and decadent. The head chef, Luigi, even took us for a tour of the wine cellar and gave us a ride to the ferry when we were worried we were going to miss it ("No one misses the ferry with Chef Luigi!"). Could not recommend this place more, it's the most memorable meal we've had here! read more

Salice Blu Bellagio - Italian Near Me - Bellagio, LC

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I have been to this restaurant many times prior and knew the food was truly a work of art. And the Chef, Luigi Gandola, is truly entertaining as well! That is why we knew we wanted to reach out to him when it came time to move our wedding plans to Italy! Salice Blu's Luigi Gandola, his gracious wife, and amazing staff catered several pre-wedding events and our wedding day. Luigi also assisted with my last minute preparations for our wedding that got changed 3 months prior due to COVID issues in our original location. He truly handheld us through every step and is meticulous down to the last detail, just as he is with his amazing food. His wife, Camilla, even hand painted us our special flower/wedding color on our menu. Everything was a fairytale come true and it would not have happened without them! Honestly, he even ran like a full on gazelle, leaping into action to make everything perfect. I cannot thank them enough. read more

Salice Blu Bellagio - This was one of the place settings at the wedding, including the beautifully created menu. - Italian Near Me - Bellagio, LC

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Excellent experience! Chef Luigi is great and has a fantastic personality. We had so much fun! The food was spectacular!

Chef Luigi is a culinary master. Hands down the best restaurant in Bellagio. We can't wait to come back again!!!

Our group of 7 had a wonderful experience dining here- two of us even decided to take the cooking class with Chef Luigi the next day. The restaurant itself is beautiful; the staff is friendly and accommodating; and the food is creative and delicious. My favorite dishes were the Mediterranean fish, the tagliatelle and the lobster in a wonderful salad that incorporated currants and bits of pineapple (delicious). Every dish was beautifully plated and we all enjoyed our time here - even my picky Italian husband! We took the cooking class the next day which I highly recommend. Great dining experience in beautiful Bellagio! read more

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The definition of a five-star experience :) We had an amazing time working our way through the tasting menu on a recent winter trip. A few of us also took the cooking class- HIGHLY RECOMMEND. The team at Salice Blu is warm, knowledgeable, and prepares food of the highest quality. They have a philosophy to minimize waste and use as much as possible, which leads to creative preparations and presentations. The bolognese sauce is out of this world and the raspberry sorbet...again, WOW. One of my very favorite parts was that from the moment we walked in, the staff took such good care of us. I can't wait to return to Italy so we can go back to Salice Blu! read more

While in Lake Como, everyone said "You must go to Salice Blu." While the food was five stars all around the atmosphere was a bit lacking. You arrive to the restaurant and are stead on a covered patio. Plastic vines hang down, which seems a bit odd and out of place. We were greeted by the Chef himself, Chef Luigi Gandola. He was friendly and took our orders. The bresaola with Parmesan was the best I've ever had. Thin air dried beef was layered with a thin Parmesan crisp. We were practically fighting over this at the table. For our mains we ordered a couple pastas. We ordered the handmade fettuccine with truffles as well as the bolognese. They were both good but the bolognese was a game changer. It was so good that we ordered a 2nd. Unfortunately the second order was not as good as the first. They do cooking classes and private events here as well. It is working checking out while in the Bellagio area. read more

This was our first stop while spending a long weekend in Bellagio. After a long drive (loonnngggg), we were definitely in need of some classic Italian food to soothe our weary well-traveled bodies. Salice Blu was just what the doctor (would have) ordered! Collectively, we had some wine...I honestly cannot remember more than its existence because the combination of exhaustion + wine + low tolerance means this lady did not pay much attention to anything after indulging. We also had a variety of their pasta dishes, some antipasti starters, and dessert! The pistachio souffle and the ravioli were highlights of our meal for sure. As a bonus, the glass doors surrounding the ktichen meant our table was perfectly positioned to enjoy the meal prep for entertainment. It was an awesome dining adventure, and the friendly wait staff (never undervalue Italian hospitality) made the evening all the more entertaining. read more

Random stop in after visiting Bellagio. The drive from Cernobio is a lot of fun in a manual fiat panda. Salice is off the beaten path however it is not to be missed. As soon as you walk in you see the awards of culinary fortitude belonging to Chef Luigi. We sat down about 7:30 in an empty restaurant wondering where the crowds were (they eventually came) Zucchini flowers stuffed with fresh ricotta Lamb with parsley and mint crust - Best of our lives. Pistachio souffle with homemade gelato was to die for! Go here and get your order taken by the Chef himself. Please go here, order a bottle of wine and sit back to enjoy the experience read more

Luigi (the Chef) is giving it everything to stand out while giving a true Italian seafood experience. Everything was great! - Mixed starters with good personal recommendations from the Chef himself - A fresh today's special fish (sharing pictures from the catch) - Homemade Italian sorbet of many flavors - Good local wine suggestion We also enjoyed a walk in the backyard, where the restaurant is growing it's own fresh greens used in the food. The ambitions are high with high quality fresh ingredients and personal introduction of restaurant and food by Luigi himself. They got all the right ingredients and they sure understand how to mix it all together, while smiling and making sure you have a good time. It's (for sure) worth the few extra bucks compared to other local restaurants. If you want the best of Bellagio, this might be the answer! You won't find a great view of the Como lake while eating, you might have to travel 2km away from the center of Bellagio, but you will find some of the best seafood and Italian classics in a great atmosphere. read more

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The best restaurant in Bellagio!! Chef Luigi Gandola is a magicianMake sure to taste his risotto and/or the fish of the dayHe's cooking with fresh products from his garden or from local markets, you truly feel the difference! Mr. Gandola is the hidden jewel of Como LakeNot to be missed!! read more

Thanks to TripAdvisor reviews we booked dinner at Ristorante Salice Blu. This was our best dinner in about two weeks at Lago di Como! It all revolved around chef Luigi.. not only did he take our order and prepare our food, he also drove us home to our hotel after our meal. We started with the chef's selection antipasto (including Italian meats, cheeses, fruits and fresh fish from Lago di Como), which was fantastic. My wife had the homemade pasta with the sauce of the day, which happened to be an incredible truffle sauce. I had the scampi dish, which was a combination of excellent seafood courses (shrimp, scallop, lobster, ext.). Best of all - the desert sampler gave us a taste of almost every desert on the menu. If traveling to Bellagio you must make time to stop at Salice Blu and be completely awed and entertained by chef Luigi. read more

Chef Luigi is one of the most renowned chefs in Lego di Como. He was referred to us by the villa owner from who we were renting for our wedding in Italy. I do not know where to begin. In fact I will come back to this review soon with some awesome pictures to post. In the mean time go to his restaurant to see him an mama! You will have one of the best meals of your life!!!! read more

Every once in a great while you get a perfect day. Dining at Salice Blu with my good friends and meeting the chef while visiting Bellagio counts as such. We had a three hour lunch (and really thank you to the restaurant team who were so gracious despite us not realizing how long we had stayed) and drank one of my favorite Barolos. The food is the main event - every bite was better than the last. The beef carpaccio starter followed by the ravioli was a winning combination. Getting a ride back into town from Luigi himself rounded out the hospitality and graciousness we received while dining. Mille Grazie! read more

Standout restaurant. All of the food dishes were both tasty and beautiful. Particlar standouts were the the veal tagliatelle and the veal entre. Great wine selection from all across italy with back vintages for a variety of wines. Ride service to and from stay was much appreciated. Would recommend to all visiting Bellagio for fine dining. read more

This was, by far, my favorite dinner while in Italy. Everything was so good, and it was just a thrill being in the restaurant. We got picked up by the chef's wife from our apartment, and walked in to the restaurant with the chef's children playing with their grandmother. Can you imagine this is a precursor to your meal? Family. Love. You're in a home. Now, you will be served the best wine and the best food that you've ever had. And while you're waiting for your food to be served you can see through the kitchen and watch all the beautiful art they're doing. The meal took hours and I couldn't have been happier. What a treat from beginning to end. I felt like I could be best friends with our waiter, and at the end of the night the chef himself drove us back home. I mean, I was just in a different world, knowing that the man who had just prepared me this wonderful meal was now driving me back home. We did go in the off-season, October, so I can't imagine this kind of curbside service all the time. And to this very day, I am so impressed with chefs talents, that I hope he is so busy that he never drives anyway home again, but it was still a thrill of a lifetime. read more

Loved this restaurant!! We went twice in the week we were in Bellagio. The food was delicious and the chef Luigi was excellent. We took a group of 8 for my father's 74th birthday. We all loved the food and the chef's grandmother came and sang Happy Birthday to my dad It was cozy and had beautifully prepared food. read more

We went to four different countries on our trip to Europe and Salice Blu was the highlight of our trip! To make our point more, another couple sitting near us said the same exact thing. We ate at Salice Blu almost every night we stayed in Bellagio and if we could've we would've eaten every meal there. Everywhere else in town was so-so. We've been back stateside for almost a year and still haven't found a comparable meal. Yes the food is amazing, but the service is equally wonderful, it was obvious everyone in the restaurant every time we were there, was blown away by the food and felt so comfortable while dining there. Being picked up and dropped off by the staff gave us a chance to get out of the tourist trap part of Bellagio even though we didn't have a vehicle of our own. Having to eat gluten free in a foreign country can be very difficult, but Luigi and his staff made it worry free for me, they really understand and they don't cut any corners on their gluten free offerings either, my food was just as astounding as my husband's every time. The flavors you will experience there will blow you and your palate away, prepare to be ruined for all other food. Luigi is an artist who truly understands all the aspects of cooking and refuses to take a shortcut, you can tell this by one short conversation with him, or one bite of his food. Upon leaving Bellagio we took the train out of Vernazza and all the people we spoke with at the train station started asking us about Salice Blu, apparently they had heard about it too late and were leaving having missed it. Salice Blu is a MUST do not miss it or you will have wasted a part of your trip! read more

Most memorable meal in Italy! Chef Luigi even picked us up from our hotel in Bellagio. His restaurant is located 10 minutes away. Upon arrival, my husband and I were graciously greeted by Luigi's mother and grandmother, both members of the kitchen staff. The highlight of our meal was the salt-baked barramundi, expertly presented and displayed by Chef Luigi himself! The ambience was relaxing, complete with a veggie garden on the patio, and a wide array of awards noticed en route to the restroom. At the end of the night, Chef Luigi drove us back to town. We will be back! read more