In anticipation of the arrival of the European judges from the Entente Florale Europe competition, which we recently wrote about in News Bites, Stresa is presenting a new event, which they are calling Fior di Gusto, Flowers of Taste. From now and through June 10, it is possible to sample special dishes and special menus built around the theme of flowers used in cooking. Twelve different restaurants are participating. Listen to some of these menu selections:

Ristorante Lago Maggiore: Filetto di Maiale alla lavanda con salsa di barbaresco accompagnato da patate al forno, fiori di geranio e bacche di coriandolo. Filet, washed with a salsa of barbaresco, accompanied by oven roasted potatoes, geranium flowers and coriander berries.

Ristorante La Malghera: Pesce persico con nocciole, pistacchi, semi di sesamo e insalata floreale. Perch, prepared with hazelnuts, pistachios, sesame seeds and a floral salad.

Ristorante L'idrovolante: Coregone alle erbe con insalatina di girasole e cerfoglio. Whitefish, prepared with sunflowers and chervil.

Each of the twelve restaurants has prepared a fixed price menu of four dishes built around this theme. If the sample dishes above have failed to attract you take a look at one entire menu, this one from Ristorante La Pescheria: