Trattoria da Orestino – Lecco

Article written by – Giorgio Ducci

Orestino knows how to make you feel at home: he welcomes you like a friend, takes note of your order and returns to the table with his typical dishes and his great manual skills. The ambience of the restaurant is stuck (remains/caged/trapped) in 40 years ago, the furnishing is simple, with matchboards on the walls, straw chairs and wooden tables.
The place is famous for two things: the typical local dishes and the dishes he prepares himself in front of the customer.
Polenta and missoltini (freshwater fish) for starters, gnocchi from Chiavenna and for main course his specialities: boiled meat or tartare. The boiled meat includes the less valuable cuts of beef (tongue, chuck beef, spleen, etc.) which are dressed with the green sauce made with parsley and garlic. Orestino also prepares the meat tartare in front of you, seasoning it with oil, salt, pepper, egg yolk, parmesan and truffle shavings. Everything is prepared with mastery, with his simple and polished gestures.
I always enjoy watching him prepare because he always puts the same dedication into it and the result never disappoints.
If you want to end the meal on a high note, order the zabaglione. He prepares that too at the moment, in front of you.
You will leave the restaurant full and satisfied. The restaurant is on Lecco’s lakefront and a nice walk will help with your digestion.
Orestino’s wife is waiting for you at the cash desk and will certainly offer you a bitter. The bill is honest, as are the dishes.