The story
In the small village of Villa a Sesta, deep in the Chianti countryside near Siena, L'Asinello occupies a converted stable that has been the home of chef Senio Venturi and his partner Elisa since 2011. The restaurant’s name—meaning "the little donkey"—is a playful nod to its origins, but the cooking is anything but rustic. Here, the cuisine is contemporary Tuscan, rooted in memory yet guided by a modern, studied hand.
Chef Senio Venturi describes his approach as moving through the vast sea of regional cooking, respecting the quality of local, seasonal ingredients while applying technique and creativity. The result is a cuisine that is authentic and direct, but never predictable. The menu changes with the seasons, evolving as Senio finds the right balance. Some dishes become signatures, like the Carnaroli rice with almonds and pheasant, or the dessert I LOVE SIENA, a semifreddo of ricciarelli cookies with an orange reduction. In autumn, smoky notes often become a leitmotif, adding depth to the seasonal produce.
Elisa oversees the dining room, curating a wine list of over 200 labels that reaches beyond the Chianti region to include interesting Italian and international bottles, both traditional and natural. The atmosphere is that of a small country house—warm, intimate, and friendly. The restaurant’s Michelin star, awarded for high-quality cooking, recognizes the precision and personality of Senio’s work, but the spirit remains that of a family-run place where the team works together to offer an authentic experience.
L'Asinello is a destination for those who want to explore the flavours of Tuscany through a lens that is both respectful and refreshingly contemporary.
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