The perfect place to bond

Why round tables work

Laughter echoes across the terrace of al Pontile, glasses clink together, and lively conversations mingle with the gentle lapping of Lake Maggiore. Beach vibes meet culinary sophistication. This is where the timeless magic of shared meals unfolds. And that’s where King Arthur comes in.

The round table has symbolised equality and community for centuries. As the legendary King Arthur was well aware: When no one sits at the head of the table, everyone talks to each other on an equal footing. This ingenious realisation has lost none of its impact, because it seems that conversations flow more easily around a round table.

Fine dining on the lakeshore further enhances this effect. The relaxed beach vibes of Lake Maggiore act as a natural ice-breaker, while the culinary excellence of Ticino’s cuisine ensures everyone has something in common: enthusiasm for the mouth-watering delights. At al Pontile restaurant, every morsel transforms into a feeling of pure bliss.

What do you talk about over a meal? Politics, religion, and money are big no-nos, they say. So we suggest the following topics of conversation:

The perfect creaminess of the risotto, the origin of porcini mushrooms, or the story behind the fascinating Chateaubriand.

London, 1822. At the French embassy, chef Montmireil develops a sophisticated technique: He places the tenderest piece of beef fillet between two thinner steaks, which protect it from the heat. After roasting, the outer pieces are removed, leaving a perfectly pink centre, served with a shallot and white wine reduction and refined with demi-glace and tarragon. By the way, the dish was named after the master of the house, François-René de Chateaubriand. Auguste Escoffier later turned the legend into a kitchen standard: The Chateaubriand was cut extra thick to give the fillet a defined centre cut.

And now you only have one thing on your mind, right? Where can you try such a mouth-watering Chateaubriand in Ascona? The best place has to be al Pontile. See you soon and bon appetit!

PS: King Arthur would also have loved the tale: At his Round Table, such a legend would have travelled from mouth to mouth, fascinating knights and guests alike.