Ristorante Sottosopra

The D& D Cafe in the quaint Lake Maggiore town of Baveno, near the well known Belle Epoch town of Stresa, in Italy's northern Italian Lakes district, is is.... a friendly, lively, and colourful restaurant/cocktail bar that you simply can't pass up while visiting this area! Frequented mainly by locals and the odd tourist this charming spot, opposite the magnificent Grand Dino Hotel, offers sandwiches, pizza, salads and other goodies while serving up warm, home-away-from-home hospitality and $2-2.30 Euro glasses of wine and Prosseco! Staff are most obliging while the ladies of Baveno were seen wearing everything from tight jeans to sexy cocktail dresses and pumps while the guys, mostly younger although many much older yet more than welcome in this sleepy little lakeside town and bar, gathered in lively groups to discuss who knows what in their casual yet sleak and handsome Italian look, while often breaking out in choruses of jovial sing-along as the vino and beer went down. As for me a foreigner (Cdn from Toronto) in a small town bar, I naturally felt a little out of place, but patrons here and staff went well out of their way to make me feel welcome, and there was no shortage of conversation despite the language barrier etc. Having stayed at the nearby Hotel Dino for a week this Sept., I can say that there wasn't a night that I wasn't out for a drink or two, plus a snack here and there, day or night, at the D & D Cafe (whenever idle), and so should you if and when you get to this part of Italy. Finaly, don't miss Friday night, it's the best.....yet any time is a good time to visit this place. Comfortable seating, video, and great music, together with Anthony the bartender and his young, mostly female staff, are sure to please. P.S. Don't miss out on the local Church and it's impressive Stations of the Cross mosaics/depiction nor the boat trip to the Borremeo islands including Isola Pescatori and the Pirate's Cove restaurant...where another family owned business, apparently run by a sweet middle-aged, female proprietor will leave you feeling jovial after being treated to good food (recommend the huge tuna sandwiches), wine, great views, and charming hospitality.