Italian wine lovers are familiar with the Gambero Rosso, probably the most famous wine guide in Italy. But the Gambero Rosso is not only a bible of the most important wineries of the “Italian boot”, it is also a gastronomic reference guide in the country. During a recent trip to Milan, I had the chance to eat in an excellent trattoria called Osteria del Treno. This restaurant is one of the few trattorias across the country that have been awarded three clusters (the highest rating) by the Gambero Rosso..
QWhat is a trattoria ?
A trattoria is a restaurant in the purest Italian tradition. The family setting invites simplicity, the wine is always of high quality and the dishes are home-made and prepared to order. It is generally a simple and unpretentious restaurant, which puts forward the regional cooking. But this is not always the case, and many of the Gambero Rosso award-winning trattorias are also upscale restaurants. A trattoria may also have catering and take-out operations. By the way, for the record, trattoria comes from trattore which means the one who treats, therefore the one who prepares.
Now that you know more, let me share with you this list of the best trattorias established by the Gambero Rosso. It will give you some ideas to prepare your next trip to Italy!
Ristorante Angiolina
Located in the small fishing village of Pisciotta, in the Salerno region of Campania, the trattoria run by Rinaldo Merola focuses on seafood products. Angiolina, Rinaldo’s mother, created the restaurant in the 50’s and she is still occasionally behind the stove! ristoranteangiolina.it
Osteria del Mirasole
Founded in 1989 by Anna Caretti and Franco Cimini, the restaurant is located halfway between the cities of Modena and Bologna. It is known for its grilled meats and the use of Emilia Romagna products. But the undisputed star of the restaurant is the Parmigiano Reggiano Emilia that is present in almost every dish! osteriadelmirasole.it
Ristorante Antichi Sapori
Chef Pietro Zito’s restaurant is located in Montegrosso, north of Bari, in Puglia. Pietro processes products from his own biodynamic garden. Oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage and other typical Mediterranean herbs are used in the dishes. Chef Zito himself has selected the wines and craft beers on his menu. pietrozito.it
Armando Al Pantheon
As its name suggests, this restaurant is located near the famous Pantheon in Rome. Founded in 1961 by Armando Gargioli, today it is his son Claudio who puts forward a typically Roman cuisine. Some of the restaurant’s specialties are even inspired by the recipes of Apiciane, a great cook who lived at the time of Emperor Tiberius! armandoalpantheon.it
Trattoria Ai Cacciatori
This trattoria located in Cavasso Nuovo in the province of Pordenone, was created by Danêl Corte and Angelina Zecchin. The restaurant highlights the cuisine of Friuli and you can taste typical dishes such as i blecs alla Friulana, fresh buckwheat pasta accompanied by pitina (cold cuts) and montasio cheese.
Ristorante Consorzio
Opened in 2008, this Turin restaurant offers cuisine inspired by Piedmontese culinary traditions. Both ravioli lovers and carnivores will be delighted by the cuisine of the trio of chefs, Andrea Gherra, Pietro Vergano and Miro Mattalia. ristoranteconsorzio.com
Al Convento
Located in the beautiful town of Cetara, on the Amalfi coast, south of Naples, this restaurant highlights the products of the sea. Cetara is famous for its processed food products made from tuna and anchovies, such as colatura di alici, a fermented anchovy sauce. Al Convento, run by chefs Pasquale Torrente and Domenico Lambiase, is also known for its tasty pizzas that you can order by the meter. alconvento.net
Caffe La Crepa
This restaurant, housed in a 15th century palace, is located in the small town of Isola Dovarese, in the province of Cremona in Lombardy. Run by Fausto Malinverno, it offers typical Po Valley cuisine, and meat lovers can enjoy guinea fowl, rabbits, geese, capons, ducks from the surrounding farms, or game such as pheasant, partridge or hare. If you prefer fish, you can order char, sturgeon or pike freshly caught in Lake Garda. caffelacrepa.net
La Locanda delle Grazie
As the name suggests, the trattoria is located in Grazie di Curtatone, on the shores of Lago Superiore in Lombardy. Excellent risottos. This restaurant, run by Fernando Aldighieri and Daniela Bellintani, also serves as a bed and breakfast. facebook.com/locanda.dellegrazie
Trattoria-Osteria La Locandiera
Located in the small village of Bernalda, in the south of the Basilicata region, the restaurant of Maria Gallotta and Francesco Russo, offers a family cuisine of southern Italy. Maria is the cook and Francesco is the sommelier. trattorialalocandiera.it
Trattoria La Madia
Chef Michele Valotti’s restaurant is located in the town of Brione, north of Brescia, in Trentino. It features local products such as cured meats, bagoss cheese and organic poultry. One of the typical dishes of Trentino is served here, the carne di castrato, made from castrated lambs between six months and two years old. trattorialamadia.it
Osteria del Treno
Located in the heart of Milan, a few minutes from the central station, this restaurant, run by the Bissolotti family, offers typical Lombard cuisine. You will enjoy artisanal cold cuts and specialties based on goose and rabbit, among others. osteriadeltreno.it
Un Posto a Milano
As its name suggests, Un Posto a Milano is located in Milan, a little on the outskirts. It is a bar, a restaurant and a guesthouse all in one. Chef Nicola Cavallaro prepares northern Italian cuisine. Enjoy the local equivalent of coq au vin. Replace the rooster with goose and the French wine with a good Merlot di Cascina Belmonte di Muscoline. Accompanied by polenta of course! unpostoamilano.it
Pretzhof
This institution, run by chef Ulli Mair, has existed since the end of the 16th century and is located in Val di Vizze, in Trentino-Alto Adige, a few minutes from the border with Austria. Most of the ingredients are produced on site. Pretzhof, for example, makes its own sausages. pretzhof.com
Sora Maria e Arcangelo
Giovanni Milana’s restaurant is located in the town of Olevano Romano in Lazio, 70 kilometers east of Rome. Typical Roman cuisine with cannelloni, pollo alla romana, rabbit with bacon, quail with figs, etc. soramariaearcangelo.com
Tischi Toschi
Restaurant located in the beautiful city of Taormina in Sicily. Chef Luca Casablanca offers Sicilian cuisine prepared with organic products. tischitoschitrattoria.com
Ristorante Albergo Vecchia Marina
Restaurant located in Roseto degli Abruzzi in the region of Abruzzo, in central Italy, on the Adriatic Sea. The cuisine of Gennaro d’Ignazio and Ester Pennese will delight lovers of fish and seafood.
Osteria della Villeta
Restaurant located in the municipality of Pallazzolo sull’Oglio in Lombardy, near the wine region of Franciacorta. This trattoria, managed by Maurizio Rossi, offers a seasonal menu that highlights local products. Very nice selection of wines from the nearby Franciacorta region. osteriadellavilletta.it
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