Una Finestra Sul Lago: Lake Como’s Window to Fine Dining

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 3/21/2025

Una Finestra Sul Lago: Lake Como’s Window to Fine Dining

A window on the shimmering waters of Lake Como in the quaint small village of Carate Urio, Una Finestra Sul Lago offers an impeccable dining experience. Opened in 2017 by childhood friends Glauco Noseda, Jacopo Martignoni, and Nathan Martignoni, this once-unassuming pizzeria has been reimagined into a refined culinary destination. Their vision was to fuse the warmth of Italian hospitality with inventive cuisine, all framed by one of Lake Como’s most breathtaking vistas.

With its glass-enclosed veranda and open-air terrace, the panoramic views become part of the décor.. Daylight pours into the dining room, and by night, the soft glow from the hills and ambient lighting sets a relaxed and elegant mood. From aperitifs on the terrace to exquisitely crafted meals, every moment is designed to stay with you. As the founders say, their journey began “by chance,” but their commitment to authenticity and creativity has shaped Una Finestra Sul Lago into a destination. For anyone seeking a taste of Lake Como, this window is wide open—offering unforgettable views, inspired cuisine, and a sense of coming home.

The Menu: A Dialogue in the Kitchen

Led by Chef Svet Ilie and Sous Chef Zeno Ossola, the kitchen at Una Finestra Sul Lago presents a seasonal menu that blends classic techniques with contemporary interpretations. With appetizers and first courses priced between €23 and €25, and second courses ranging from €21 to €37, each dish tells a story rooted in Ilie’s Bulgarian-Italian heritage and the culinary traditions of Lake Como. The team sources fresh lake fish, seafood, farm-grown vegetables, quality meats, and regional cheeses to create dishes that echo the natural landscape and local culture.

Highlights include the fassona tartare (€25) with marinated egg yolk, goat cheese, pesto, and carasau bread, and the lasagnetta in tecia (€23), layered with goose ragù and walnut cream. Among the second courses, the Iberian pluma (€37) stands out, served with roasted cauliflower, shiitake mushrooms, chili cream, and umeboshi. Desserts are priced at €13 and include refined creations like the mascarpone mousse (€13) with date caramel and caramelized walnuts delivers a final note of refined indulgence.

Designed to enhance each course, the restaurant’s wine program is overseen by maître sommelier Michele Cantarelli. The list brings together boutique producers and renowned Italian labels, with crisp whites ideal for seafood, and bold reds perfectly suited to the more robust meat dishes. International selections round out the offering, making the wine pairings as thoughtful as the cuisine itself.

Gourmet Pizza: Italy’s Classic with a Creative Twist

Una Finestra Sul Lago’s passion for quality extends to its pizza menu (€23 - €31), where Pizza Chef Simone Ciraolo brings a gourmet edge to Italy’s most beloved dish. Using a Neapolitan-style dough developed by Davide Frittoli, the base is light, airy, and built to carry inventive toppings without overpowering the crust’s natural flavor. Each pizza is assembled with precision and features premium ingredients that reflect the restaurant’s creative philosophy.

Standouts include La Marinaia, with yellow Piennolo cherry tomato sauce, Cetara anchovies, caper fruit, and black garlic cream, and La Capricciosa Sbagliata, which reimagines the classic with artichoke cream, ricotta, sweet salami, porcini mushrooms, and black olive earth. For a more daring option, the Fassona pizza arrives topped with seasoned Piedmontese tartare, ricotta, Taggiasca olives, and a hint of lime zest. Each variation underscores the team’s ability to elevate tradition through thoughtful innovation.