Valli di Lanzo

The story

Valli di Lanzo, Ceres: Piedmontese Cuisine Honored by Michelin

Valli di Lanzo, Ceres

In the small mountain town of Ceres, Valli di Lanzo is a restaurant that looks to the past for its future. Chef Marcantonio Carella describes his cooking as “piatti che raccontano il mondo contadino” – dishes that tell the story of a peasant world, rooted in the memories of his childhood. The result is a cuisine that is both deeply personal and authentically Piedmontese.

The restaurant’s approach is captured in the phrase “Se il futuro è nei piatti d’antan” – if the future lies in dishes of yesteryear. This is not about nostalgia for its own sake, but about restoring the genuine flavors of the past with today’s sensibility. The menu changes with the seasons, drawing on the surrounding mountains for inspiration. A salad of wild dandelion, unforgettable fried mushrooms, and a traditional salt cod with milk and onions are just a few examples of the kitchen’s careful, respectful work.

Diners can choose from a selection of menus. The “La Nostra Storia” menu at €60 offers a journey through the great tradition. For those seeking more spontaneity, “Mano libera” is a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings at €85, or the “L’art du bien vivre” with Champagne throughout at €150. The wine list is notably deep, with a separate Champagne list that has been praised by guests.

The dining room is described as elegant and attentive, with service that is both careful and warm. The restaurant has earned a Michelin Recommended distinction, a recognition that aligns with the quiet confidence of its cooking. For those who appreciate Piedmontese cuisine that is both refined and rooted, Valli di Lanzo offers a genuine taste of the region’s mountains.