Ti piace cappuccino?

Ti piace il cappuccino? Do you like cappuccino? If so, there’s a fun and informative thread right now in the forum on my favorite travel site, Slowtrav.com. It discusses just what it is that makes the cappuccino in Italy better than anywhere else, why it’s so difficult to recreate that cup of cappuccino at home, and tons of tips for getting as close to it as you can. If you’re into cappuccino it’s fun reading and obsessively detailed, right down to the temperature of the milk used for frothing and the frothing wand position. I’ll admit right now that I’ve never even attempted to make a cappuccino at home. For me its all about going to the cappuccino bars, hearing the banging and whirring, watching the people coming and going, listening to the regulars catching up with each other. Cappuccino in the morning and espresso later on; I love the flow and pace of it. Here are a few of my favorite cappuccino bars in Stresa:

Patty Bar: Nothing fancy, but this is a real neighborhood bar with great cappuccino. Carla, the owner, knows to always put lots of cocoa on mine without my asking for it, and she’s also willing to practice Italian with me in slow moments.

Jolly Bar: Officially Pasticceria Jolly Bar, this is bigger and fancier, with more seating and wonderful store-made sweets. This is a great spot to try the local pastries and sit a bit longer.

L’Idrovolante: L’Idrovolante is more than just a cappuccino bar, it’s a full restaurant as well, but I like having cappuccino there for its location. Right on the water, I stop here while walking along the Lungolago, the path along the lake, or before or after taking the boat from the Carciano imbarcadero next door.

Patty Bar: Via Principe Tomaso at Piazza Pozzi, Stresa
Pasticceria Jolly Bar: Via Principe Tomaso, 17, Stresa
L'idrovolante: Piazziale Lido, 6, Stresa