Hats off to owners Matthias and Elvira Althof Solér of Tentazioni in Cavigliano. We cycled along there in the late afternoon sun to be greeted by keen and eager-to-please waitresses bearing elderflower-infused proseccos and a beaming chef serving up spectacular bites in quick succession. The owners mingled professionally and quietly after giving us a much appreciated guided tour of the upstairs quarters.
Here is a couple with vision and guts (read up on their professional pedigree here); embarking on a project such as this outside of Ascona is not something that you often see round these parts. Say what you will, but stretching the boundaries, doing the "not so obvious" always appeals so much more. The location is Ticino-picturesque at its most stunning, especially on a day like today when the mountains are bursting with green foliage and the sky is electric with blue - all this is offset rather beautifully by the purple, mahogany and pale grey colour scheme that defines the interior of Tentazioni. If they deliver what they promise and if all is maintained, then I am sure this will take off well and proper with locals and tourists alike!
So to recap: it's a restaurant and hotel (boutique hotel, as they like to call it). Rooms start at CHF 180 a night including breakfast and the restaurant's menu is beautifully uncomplicated in its structure - prices range from CHF 45 for 2 courses, to CHF 85 for 5 courses - and if you're really starving then you can go for the sumptuous 8 course menu at CHF 120. The beauty of this menu is that you choose your course (or "temptation") as you please. The price is fixed and you just need to decide how many courses you can manage...
As yet we are unable to judge on the chef's creations, although the apetizers this afternoon were creative and seriously delicious. Our aim is to return soon for a proper "degustation". Watch this space.
