Alchimia Lounge - Étlap

Pizzeria Carlino

➤ Via V. Vela 5, 6830, Chiasso, Switzerland

Pizza • Seafood • European • Fast Food

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"Very good food. Too bad for gluten-free products that have to pay a supplement of 4 francs, which doesn't seem fair to these people. There is no real parking for the restaurant, but there are some paid ones nearby."

Crotto Dei Tigli

➤ Viale Attilio Tarchini 53, 6828, Novazzano, Switzerland

Food • Pizza • European • Fast Food

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"The food is usually very well-prepared and local. But even though the recipes are traditional there is always a modern take on them, for example a cheesecake flavoured as a more traditional bread and chocolate tart (torta di pane, as it’s called here). The place is nice and cosy, being rather on the small side, especially in winter when you can’t sit in the garden at the back, seating inside is limited so better book a table if you are a large party."

Silver Cafe Chiasso

➤ via Carlo Pasta 2, Chiasso 6830, Switzerland

Pubs • Pizza • Cafés • Seafood

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"Ci vado spesso in pausa pranzo e lo trovo buono sotto diversi aspetti. Porzioni molto abbondanti (i piatti di pasta spaventano) ma su richiesta riducono la quantità per chi ha una fame normale. Ricette per la verità semplici, ma ben eseguite. Prezzo ottimo soprattutto da questo lato della frontiera (7 franchi i piatti di pasta sono rarità pura, difficili da trovare pure oltre confine). Per un pranzo senza particolari pretese è ottimo.Personale gentile."

Borgo Vecchio

➤ Via Antonio Monti 9, 6828, Balerna, Switzerland

Pizza • Cafés • Seafood • European

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"We stayed here for a night on our way to France. The place was cheap and we were not sure what to expect and I was a bit apprehensive when I noticed on Google Maps that the place was right under a motorway. That said, it was also very near the border crossing and suited us from that standpoint. When we got there one car park was full and there was space in another that was also for the hotel. When we checked in and asked if we should pay first, we were told cheerfully we could do so when we were leaving! We were shown to our rooms which were very basic but VERY clean and very comfortable. We then went to the restaurant which was pretty full and had a lovely relaxed dinner with what appeared to be the family of the owner having a birthday party in the table next to ours. We asked what time breakfast would be served and were told that it would be 8am on weekdays. When we said that we had to leave at 8, the lady serving us was asked and she said she would keep breakfast ready at 7:30. At 7:30 the same woman who had been up late busily serving people food opened the restaurant door and let us in to have coffee and a very basic (croissants, ham, juice) breakfast. We were very impressed. Right through the service was very good and casual. Only one person spoke English though (but we got by using Google Translate and my son's limited Italian. A charming little place. Got us nice and relaxed and refreshed for our journey to the South of France. Recommend it."

Loverciano

➤ Ai Grotti 5, 6874 Castel San Pietro, Switzerland

Cafés • Italian • Barbecue • Fast Food

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"On the occasion of the gastronomic event we ate saddle for a cost of 55 CHF per person. The saddle was of good quality, the only flaw was the cooking which for one was almost well done and the other had a blue cooking. The Brussels sprouts were simply boiled and not braised or stewed, the spätzli on the other hand were very good, the red cabbage was also decent. It's a shame that the flagship dish of the event isn't treated better, a saddle eaten by several people is desirable to be served on a tray and not on plates, in this way saddle has only the name and should be called sirloin. The dessert was very good."