But I didn't give up (I never do when it comes to food and conviviality). A few days ago we finally succeeded. Ten people. All new to this type of experience. And I'll tell you right away: it was an evening we will remember for a long time.

We went to Silvia, at the Comò della Civetta.

She, with professionalism and kindness, had already informed us in advance about the menu, inquired about allergies, tastes, and intolerances (not everyone does that, you know). So we set off feeling relaxed, but also very curious. No one really knew what to expect.

A diverse group: friends, acquaintances, someone who had never been seen before. But that's the beauty of it. I love creating connections (even if sometimes I risk getting caught up in unlikely situations... but it usually goes well, come on).

Silvia welcomed us to her home, wearing her personalized apron “Il Comò della Civetta”, a name that alone brings a smile, and a smile that immediately put us at ease (as a good hostess should). We sat down, started chatting, drinking something, sharing who we are, what we do… and gradually the evening came to life.

Do you know what an Home Restaurant is? It is anything but a restaurant. No waiters in uniforms, no standardized dishes. Here you are a guest in someone's home who cooks for you. Silvia prepares everything on the same day and at the moment, all fresh: the day's shopping, garden vegetables. No precooked, no fake homemade. And you can tell.

It's not a dinner to be rushed: it's slow, in the most beautiful sense of the term. One course, then we talk. A toast, then a laugh. You meet people. You make jokes. You share.

And the food? A wonder.

📌 Appetizers: three toast with homemade bread — one with pears, brie, and honey (divine), one with caramelized onion and pistachios (applause), one with zucchini cream and shrimp (I have no words).

📌 First course: barley salad with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and bell peppers. Summer-like, light, perfect. (And a large part of the vegetables were from her garden. Not to mention km zero... centimeters zero!)

📌 Main course: chicken strips in curry with lamb's lettuce and fennel. Tasty yet delicate, just the right portion, after appetizer and first course.

📌 Dessert: amazing apple fritters (the real ones, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside). But here comes the twist: there was a person lactose intolerant and Silvia, being as attentive as she is, made her the sciatt dolci. Well… that’s where a bit of envy kicked in, but we resisted. Silvia alone in the kitchen couldn’t perform miracles… but she nearly achieved it!

We had some excellent sparkling wine (and water, don’t worry) and chatted until midnight. In the end, Silvia sat down with us to tell us a bit about herself, full of smiles and anecdotes. A beautiful moment, human. Real.

Ah, and it doesn’t end here. Because Silvia also organizes cooking classes, where she teaches you how to make pizzoccheri the right way. In the end, you even get a certificate of “certified pizzoccheratore”! And of course, you cook them and eat them. A delight.

So, if you’re thinking “well, was it all perfect?”... almost. The only flaw? We wanted to stay in the garden with the fairy lights, but the weather turned its back on us.

However, in summer, with the beautiful days, you can also have dinner outside, and it’s enchanting.

One important thing I have to tell you though: the home restaurant does not work like a normal restaurant. It’s not that you call and ask, “Do you have a free table for tonight?” No. Here you must book at least 24 hours in advance, because Silvia shops for you. It’s like going to dinner at a friend’s house: she needs to know who is coming, what they eat, if there are any allergies. That’s how it works. And it’s all so beautiful.

At the end of the evening, I told myself: next time I want to go even alone, maybe sitting next to complete strangers. Because the true philosophy of the home restaurant is this: you meet as strangers and say goodbye as friends.

And today, when human relationships seem to be more complicated, more hurried, more... superficial, experiencing something like this reconciles you with the world.

So yes, I wholeheartedly recommend it. If you like good food, meeting new people, and living authentic moments… book at Comò della Civetta. You won't regret it.