Al Grott Café - Brione Sopra Minusio

We were taken to the Al Grott Cafè, above Minusio and Brione. If you are not familiar with the area this can be a little challenging to "keep going until the end of the road". When you get to Contra, follow the ample signs into the Val Resa and go to the end of the road, even the last bit is track. Lots of narrow and windy roads to navigate and be ready for the cars coming down as you go up. Yet when you get there, it is well worth it. The owners Cinzia & Angelo Capella are really welcoming, you feel like a returning client, even if you have not been before.Their web site needs an update of the continued renovations they must have been doing. They really have 'delivered' a wonderful setting to have a "typical" or meat orientated meal. --Do update your pictures please---- They have made a great job of the place.Onto the food, there is a lot of grilling and choices cooked over the new grill, we all went for a mixed grill that was made up of a rib, a cut of meat, different luganega (local sausages) served with polenta and roasted potatoes. You do have a good choice in the menu and one you should try but you have to reserve is Costine a volontà (riservazione obbligatoria)- as many ribs as you can eat. I might try that one day. Good choice of wines, selection of typical cheeses, plenty of dishes with Polenta and a fair selection of desserts. Do make the effort to drive up (and up) to the Grotto, it is well worth it

The owners are very kind and hospitable. The food is good and the place is wonderful.It is also a hostel. We spent one night there, unfortunately it was a mouse around making noises, so my sleep was not like an angel ... But what do you expect ?! ... You're at the mountains ... My son had a lot of fun running around and playing with the owner's dogs. Definitely a place for children. And the view is breathtaking!!

We stumbled across this fabulous place by accident, located at the end of a road just before our hiking track. This grotto served the best charcoal grilled local meats and possibly one of the best polenta' s in Ticino. This is one of those picture perfect places that has no electricity and relys on the grill and candles for their light source. We sat outside under the stars. Service was seriously friendly. We will go back every time we return to the area.