The story
In the small hamlet of Bolzone, on the outskirts of Crema, Trattoria Via Vai has been a reliable destination for good food and good wine for over thirty years. The restaurant, run by Stefano Fagioli and his daughter Delia, is a place where the rhythms of the countryside set the pace. The setting is relaxed but carefully considered: spacious, well-spaced tables, soft lighting, and a romantic summer veranda and garden for dining outdoors.
The kitchen, led by Stefano alongside chefs Nicolò Pozzoli and Andrea Agosti, changes its menu weekly, always anchored to the best seasonal ingredients. The cooking is rooted in Lombardian tradition, with a particular focus on the local cheese salva cremasco, which appears in dishes like a savory panna cotta with cherries or as a filling for handmade ravioli with mint. Other house signatures include terrines and pâtés, salame cremasco, aged meats cooked with precision, and desserts that close the meal without overwhelming it.
The wine list is a thoughtful selection, leaning heavily on Piedmontese and French labels, available by the bottle or by the glass. Weekly tasting menus offer a chance to explore the kitchen’s current focus, often built around a single ingredient or theme. A recent menu, for example, revolved entirely around salva cremasco, with a carpaccio of Piedmontese beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and summer truffle.
Trattoria Via Vai’s consistent quality and value have earned it a Bib Gourmand from Michelin, as well as the Chiocciola (Snail) from Slow Food’s Osterie d’Italia guide and a glowing mention in Il Golosario. The restaurant also gained a small moment of pop-culture fame when actors Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet, in Crema for the filming of Call Me by Your Name, spoke warmly of their meals here.
Recognition
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