There is a place in Lezzeno where every room tells a story. The entrance door bears the year date of 1801 and the initials of the innkeeper of the time, Francesco Bazzoni. At this tavern Silvio Pellico spent his last night of freedom, as we go back in time to when it was called Taberna di Giustiniano (Justinian's Tavern). Today the traditions are carried forward by the seventh generation, represented by Pietro Bazzoni and his wife Silvia, still welcoming in the guests who are offered traditional local dishes the roots of which can be traced back to Byzantine times.
Every nook, every piece of furniture, photograph and object enshrines a moment of a history that has almost miraculously come down to us intact.
The dishes on the menu are an interesting combination of West and East, the result of a fusion of the Greeks, the Herules who played a leading role in the occupation by the Roman Empire, and the indigenous population, while there is also no shortage of hints that hark back to the period of the Risorgimento.
Iconic dishes include duck breast, served with Tropea onions, both cooked at low temperatures, linguine with pistachio di Bronte, paired with coppa piacentina from the Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba, and beef fillet tagliata with apples and horseradish as a reminder of the links with the Austro-Hungarian world. In addition to the good food, the visitor can enjoy the wonderful surroundings of the Osteria, while each of its rooms, the most modern of which dates to a refurbishment of 1913 by Pietro's great-grandfather, bears witness to a specific historical period. The garden is also historical and from here the visitor can enjoy, from the shade of the ancient pergola, splendid views of the Villa del Balbianello and the Isola Comacina.
For those who wish to stay beyond dinner, the Taverna Il Governo also offers accommodation, with four suites to where guests can fully enjoy the atmosphere of the inn and its ancient setting.