Gennaro Di Pace

The story

Gennaro Di Pace: Contemporary Italian Dining in Alba's Langhe Hills

A Philosophy Rooted in the Langhe

In the medieval hamlet of Perno, in the heart of the Langhe, Chef Gennaro Di Pace’s eponymous restaurant is a place where tradition meets eclectic modernity. The chef describes his cooking as a sensory experience—scents, colours, and sensations drawn from the land, reinterpreted with conviction. “Express yourself in the dish, your beliefs, your points of view,” he writes. “Feel satisfaction in every bite.” This is contemporary Italian cuisine that never loses sight of its roots.

The Dining Experience

The setting, just outside Monforte d’Alba, is intimate and unhurried. The restaurant’s interior and outdoor seating allow guests to savour a meal that is both artful and grounded. Di Pace’s approach is contemplative: “Art and gastronomy come together to offer sensory perceptions rich in nuances and meanings.” The menu changes with the seasons, using only seasonal, eco-friendly ingredients from local producers. No out-of-season primizie or endangered species appear on the plates.

Seasonal Menus and Local Sourcing

Every dish is cooked to order, which means a short wait for the sake of precision. The à la carte selection showcases the Langhe’s bounty: a foie gras scaloppa with almond and dried fig ice cream, Fassona beef tartare with caper and anchovy mayonnaise, or saffron risotto with licorice and pork belly. For those who want to trust the chef entirely, a four-course tasting menu (49 €) offers a curated journey through the season, with optional wine pairing. Bread, rolls, and grissini are made in-house.

This commitment to quality and place earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended distinction—a recognition that aligns with Di Pace’s own exacting standards. Here, the flavours of the land are not just ingredients; they are a story told plate by plate.