Tag Archives: Ossola Valleys

Italy, Viganella: Dinner at the Casa Vanni’s Restaurant, La Cucina

Italy-Viganella-Casa Vanni-Cucina-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

This post that may inspire you

if you miss idea for the dinner. I’ve never eaten as much as during this short stay in Piedmont! Fortunately there is hiking to compensate! Food is excellent.

And our dinner at La Cucina, cooked by the manager of the beautiful Casa Vanni, is just spectacular (photo above)! now I understand why the Slow Food is an Italian concept. Freshness of the ingredients of the valley, fine flavors and generosity.

We feel that our hostess wants to make us happy. The meal is orgiastic with a great presentation and eight dishes! Yes! Hence many giggles, because all three of us feel out just lunch (few hours before in Antrona!). Mamma mia!

Italy-Viganella-Casa Vanni-Cucina-1A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

For Gourmets, Here Is The Detailed Menu

1. Primosale alla piastra con melassa / Primosale to the plate with melass. 2. Tartina di segale con lardo di Antrona / Rye sandwich with the bacon of Antrona. 3. Fritelle di verdure con passatelli di ricotta Ossolona / Vegetable pancakes with Ossalona ricotta passatelli (not on the pictures).  4. Insalata di farro con ratatouille / Farro salad with ratatouille. 5. Crespelle con ricotta ed erbette di campo / Crepes with ricotta and herbs of the field. 6. Filetto di trota salmonata con peperoni friggitelli / Salmon trout fillet with friggitelli peppers. 7. Tagliere di formaggi nostrani / Platter of local cheeses (not on the pictures). 8. Tortino di cioccolato fondente con cuore morbido / Dark chocolate tart with soft heart. Last picture (below) : the amazing breakfast the next morning! But impossible for me to eat or drink more than a cup of tea (LOL!).

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Casa Vanni: A Room in Viganella, Piemonte (Italy)

Italy-Viganella-Casa Vanni-Room-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

After a very long day

among the beautiful gardens of Sacred Mount Calvary of Domodossola, a short hike in Anzuno and a visit in the ancient village of Tappia, what a fantastic surprise when I arrived at the hotel!

If for you too, luxury is defined by scarcity, taste, simplicity and warm hospitality, you’ll soon become addicted to Casa Vanni Dimora storica (historical house). From the exterior, I immediately loved it! THE pearl of my weekend in the Antrona valley, Piemonte!

This small hotel with 5 bedrooms is located in the center of Viganella, a semi-desert remote village that full of charm and surprises. In my room at the second floor, I was conquered by the elegant sober contrast between the ancient thick walls and minimalist modern decor (pictures 1 & 2). Spotless bedding and bath room, with new facilities, where every detail is perfectly thought out (pictures 5 & 7).

Simple almost monastic, but so refined, congratulations to our smiling charming hostess! Big euphoria when I discovered my little terrace with panoramic views of the mountains and village (pictures 3, 4 & 8). The bottom of the air is fresh and invigorating and the moment is magical.

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Italy, Piemonte: Anzuno And Lunch @ Agriturismo e Osteria della Tensa

Italy-Anzuno-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Do you enjoy walking on trails in the countryside?

Follow me in Anzuno (photo 1)! In this village near Domodossola, most of the traditional stone houses are deserted (last photo) and look like a Sergio Leone movie set (picture 2). Only missing Claudia Cardinale Clint Eastwood! I really like!

Among the few inhabitants, there remains the sympathetic guard of the old grape press (photo 4). Anzuno is pretty particular and we can feel good. As if time gave us a break, the right to do nothing, think nothing, just be, see, feel and perhaps absorb… like watching a movie…

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Taking a narrow trail from Anzuno that climbs high

I led the way… no comment, please! We arrive at the Agriturismo e Osteria della Tensa (pictures below). Beautiful mountains view from the terrace of restaurant, where we stayed for ages (pictures 3 and 7).

None of us could not imagine that our lunch will be a 7-course banquet (picture 8)! Luckily yesterday, I forgot to dinner and have breakfast this morning! Everything is of course really tasty. With very good local produce, you can really rediscover flavors and tastes!

Yet I am not a gourmet nor a food lover. But I’ve always loved real fresh produce: a tasty steamed vegetable gives me a billion times more fun than all meals with sauces, as elaborate as they are! 

Here, the products come from local agriculture and the garden of the inn. The Chef, a woman, reinterprets traditional dishes in a light and inventive way, as her excellent risotto with pears. And the owners are friendly. OMG, it sounds like a  food critic? Imagine if I become winemaker too! That’s not me! LOL!

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