Crotto dei Platani

Thus far, in all the areas of Lake Como, this was the first restaurant in the area, that I was really excited for to write a review so fast. As soon as we drove in to the small parking area over looking Lake Como, you look to your right and you see a beautiful, glistening dining room, doors open, windows open to the Lake, very small, and hundreds of beautiful white lights hanging from the ceiling. The entrance to the restaurant is only part of the land we stand on, only having to walk through rod iron gates in to this magical room with all the gleaming lights, beautiful stemware set on the tables with white table clothes. Overwhelmingly gorgeous as you look out to all the openness to Lake Como back round all around you. This was the first ground level. We walked down the stairs, and as we were walking down, we looked in front of us and all you can see is the Lake which is the backdrop to the beautiful dining room below as well. There were 11 of us and we were snuggly seated right on the water, no windows, but open air overlooking the beautiful mountains of trees and homes across from the lake. Breathtaking view only pictures could describe.
Our waiter Matteo, immediately came over and we discussed the wine selections. Since some of us wanted the Chianti and some of us Cabernet, he opened up 2 bottles and poured out wines individually as to our liking. There was delicious bread and breadsticks at usual in Italy on the table and we started our journey.
We ordered both our appetizers and our entrees immediately, knowing that this was not going to be a rushed experience because so far, here, no one at these restaurants rush you. It is always relaxed, slow and steady as you can easily enjoy the wines and appetizers well before the entrees ever come. Here they let you relax, never a rush.
I ordered the Antipasto misto di pesci del Lario, a long name as one can tell, but a lot of fresh Lake seafood, small bites, and seasoned almost like a very lite ceviche marinade. I can taste a little of each kind of fish that one would catch in Lake Como. My wife had the Ensalada di polipo marinaton al cardamom con sedono e pacimo.. In short: the most delicious Octopus Salad served with egg plant and tomato. I split that with her and she had some of my fish delicacies and they both made for a fresh, tasting, mouth watering experience of local seafoods.
For our entrees, I needed to find something different besides a pasta dish, so I ordered their Ossobuco di vitellio, veal with the bone marrow bone, of course. This was served with saffron rice. The meat was so so tender and the sauce was extraordinary as it was poured over the tender brased veal. The portion was smaller than I usually get, but the most tender piece of veal. Loved sucking up that tasty bone marrow, as I always save it for last. My wife had a delicious pasta with Prawns in a Mediterranean sauce. One of our guests ordered this delicious pasta with mushrooms, mushroom sauce and thyme. There are a lot of delicious mushroom pastas here, and he mushrooms are abundantly fresh and delicious. They served roasted duck breast with cherries, delicious, outstanding rack of lamb, and beef dishes as well as the best prepared pastas in the area.
For dessert, I ordered the Pineapple Lime Coconut cheesecake, and tasted better than it even sounded. We had the white chocolate mousse, a beautiful gelato assortment and my wife had the cherry tort sprinkled with powdered sugar served with vanilla ice cream on the side. The desert menu could not be resisted here.

We enjoyed all this, with the most beautiful outdoor, natural lake and tree covered mountains in the world all around the openness, lit up venue. Matteo perfectly timed our meal, kept the wine flowing. Service was more than five stars here.
We rarely would do this traveling, but we discussed coming back a second time. Best way to describe Crotto del Platani? Most gorgeous restaurant set on the open and mountainous Lake Como with the best service we have had and the most creative and tasty sample of great Italian cuisine. It can’t get better than this.

Unbelievable spot. Breathtaking location on the water of Lake Como, friendly service, local cuisine showing off creativity and deserved confidence. I recommend the potato truffle soup and fish with water asparagus. It feels like a secret spot, magic. We were able to arrive by boat and dock.