Erasmo

The story

Erasmo: Modern French-Italian Cuisine in Carhaix-Plouguer, Michelin Bib Gourmand

Erasmo: A Taste of Venice in the Heart of Brittany

In the main street of Carhaix-Plouguer, in the Finistère department of Brittany, Erasmo offers a dining experience that bridges two worlds. The name itself is a tribute to an island in the Venetian lagoon where chef-owner Matteo Vianello spent happy childhood summers. The restaurant’s decor—with its green tones echoing the lagoon’s water and its classic Venetian shutters—brings a piece of his birthplace to this corner of France.

Chef Vianello, a native of Venice’s historic center, trained at the hotel school in Venice before refining his craft in prestigious kitchens, including two Relais & Châteaux properties: Hotel Rosa Alpina (under three-Michelin-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler) and Hotel Albereta (under Gualtiero Marchesi). At Erasmo, he channels that experience into a modern cuisine that is both French and Italian, and 100% homemade.

The menu changes with the seasons, offering a clear, direct style. A la carte starters might include snail ravioli with a sweet garlic broth and toasted buckwheat, or a gaspacho of coeur de boeuf tomatoes with burnt melon, mussels, and an iodized mayonnaise. Mains range from saddle of lamb with Breton artichoke heart and pecorino romano to fillet of cod with Roscoff onion cream, spring peas, and chorizo. Desserts stay close to the Italian roots, with a new version of tiramisu featuring sponge cake and coffee ice cream, or a strawberry salad with ricotta cream and elderflower sorbet.

For a deeper exploration, a five-course tasting menu is available in the evenings, chosen by the chef for the whole table. At lunch, a daily-changing menu offers a more spontaneous option, including a three-course formula for just 22 euros. The restaurant is also notably accommodating to gluten-intolerant guests, welcoming them with a full, stress-free menu.

This commitment to quality, value, and a warm, professional welcome earned Erasmo a Michelin Bib Gourmand, recognizing it as a place where good food meets fair prices. The atmosphere is described as chic yet relaxed—a space for an unhurried meal that feels personal, not pretentious.