The story
The oldest dining room at Crotasc, the Cascina, still bears the date 1767 on its stone floor. The walls, raw stone polished by time, are adorned with copper and antique farming tools—a quiet testament to the rural roots of this place. For three generations, the Prevostini family has been the soul of the restaurant. Founded in 1928 by Maria and Mamete, Crotasc was the first crotto in Valchiavenna to open to the public. In 1946 it became a trattoria, rooted in local traditions. Then, in the 1990s, Michela Prevostini began a careful renovation, refreshing both the space and the culinary approach while preserving the original identity.
The restaurant offers distinct dining rooms: a wood-paneled salon with Italian design, a bright space dedicated to tastings of Mamete Prevostini’s wines, and the historic Cascina itself. In winter, a fire crackles in the hearth; in summer, tables are set outside under centuries-old chestnut trees. The atmosphere is cordial, unhurried—a family place where the warmth is genuine.
Michela Prevostini describes the kitchen as a balance between the cooking of always and an openness to exploration. The menu is grounded in the products of the valley: brisaola, "bastardell" salami, violino di capra, pizzoccheri, gnocchetti bianchi di Mese, and game. Alongside these classics, seasonal and daily specials appear, always driven by an attentive search for fresh, high-quality raw ingredients. The wine list, curated by brother Mamete, focuses on Nebbiolo from Valtellina, with carefully chosen Italian reds and sparkling wines from both Italy and abroad.
The heart of the restaurant is the crotto itself—a natural cavity in the rock where a constant cool breeze, the Sorèl, keeps temperature and humidity steady year-round. Once used for food storage, it now ages the family’s finest wines. This deep connection to the land and its traditions, combined with a quiet evolution of flavors, earned Crotasc a Michelin Recommended accolade for 2026.
Recognition
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