Part of having an incredible dining experience is the company and ambiance that surrounds the meal.
Whether dining with a tranquil view of the ocean or with a glass of wine with friends and family at home, a positive atmosphere can uplift anything you are eating. An incredible dining experience requires the total package.
Our total package meal this week was in the beautiful town of Gerra Gambarogno, Switzerland. Tony and I were invited to stay with our friends, Lisa and Fritz, at their waterfront villa on Lake Magiorre for a few nights to kick our feet back and relax.
Gerra Gambarogno was more stunning than I ever could imagine. As corny as it sounds, it is one of those places where you have to pinch yourself before you realize that you are not dreaming.
On our first night in town (after a long day of travel), Lisa and Fritz invited us to their main house (which resembled George Clooney’s abode on Lake Como) for dinner and wine on their waterfront terrace.
Here on the terrace, the weather was perfect and the four of us got to share travel stories, share laughs, and share a couple of bottles of wine!
View from the dinner table
Having worked in the wine industry in California, Lisa knew her wines and served us two exquisite bottles to accompany our wonderful meal. For dinner, we enjoyed a fresh caprese salad and a local, free range chicken roasted with fennel in a clay pot to perfection.
Both the food and wine were to die for and it had been forever since I had eaten such juicy, tasty chicken. But what made the meal ever the more special was the atmosphere.
I couldn’t imagine a more idyllic situation than watching the sun go down over Laggo Maggiore with great drinks, great food, and great friends.
Your turn: Was there a particular meal that you enjoyed that was made even more memorable with good company and good ambiance? Please share it with us in our Comment section below!
Exhausted from traveling every week as a Business Management Consultant early in my career, I took a year off in 2012 to travel at my own pace. I am a high-energy girl that loves being active, eating food, drinking wine, and exploring the world with my partner-in-crime (and husband), Tony! I now reside in Portland, Oregon and continue to write about travel, food, wine, and the awesome adventures we have in the Pacific NW!
This definitely does sound perfect. Something about eating outside on a summer night makes everything taste better!
Yes! Especially with a good drink in hand!
Oh my goodness. These are some friends you’ve got to hang onto – this looks like a perfect evening!
I was invited to a dinner party once at an artist friend’s house in Peru and she’d made all these amazingly colored dishes – saffron yellow, eggplant purple, etc – and served each one on its own white plate. Definitely the most gorgeous meal I’ve ever eaten!
Thanks Callie! It was the perfect evening and we envy their lifestyle in Switzerland – they truly have it made!
Isn’t it funny how presentation and color can completely make a meal? Your meal in Peru sounds like perfection!
What a wonderful treat staying with Lisa and Fritz at their beautiful home.
One of my favorite meals was on the island of Anguilla. The food at Blanchards Restaurant was awesome (especially the coconut cheesecake) and the company – Dana, Barb, Kat, Meg – was exceptional.
http://www.blanchardsrestaurant.com/menu.htm
Ohhh that brings back so many good memories! I just looked up Blanchards on TripAdvisor and they are still running strong with 4.5 stars from reviewers. Although they no longer have the coconut cheesecake on the menu… Boo! Some of their new desserts do loook pretty tasty though – definitely worth a trip back there 😉
What fun to see and hear about your visit to Gerra. I am so glad you both had the chance to spend a little time with these special people and a big thank you to Lisa and Frits for hosting you. I must get the roasted chicken recipe from Lisa. It looks so yummy.
Lisa and Fritz were such friendly and wonderful hosts. After spending a few days getting to know them better, we now consider them dear friends (and completely envy their amazing “baller” lifestyle!). And you must get that recipe from Lisa! It was so yummy and one I hope to recreate someday!
Thank you to Lisa and Frits, what great friends. Yes, they do know how to live. The whole experience you described sounded wonderful and I am so happy you and Tony had a chance to “discover” Lisa and Frits and Gerra.
They are the best! And thanks to you and Cath for connecting us all
Ah I am so jealous of your dinner on lago maggiore – so magical! Thanks for sharing, it’s almost like I am there… almost
you were there in spirit
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