La Brezza
Ascona, Switzerland
⭐2 Stars
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Chef Marco Campanella serves highly personalised cuisine at this restaurant, where he pays careful attention to simple ingredients and combinations influenced by his many travels around the world, with an added touch of Mediterranean flavour thanks to his Italian origins. The two menus remain unchanged, namely “Moving Mountains” (vegan) and “Ispirazione” (with fish and meat), and guests are able to choose between six and eight courses. The wine list will more than satisfy connoisseurs, who will also enjoy the recommendations offered by the talented sommelier. In summer the terrace offers a delightful setting with exceptional views of Lake Maggiore.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique or unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant La Brezza in Ascona:
1. Dual Menus Featuring a Dedicated Vegan Option
La Brezza offers two distinct menus that remain unchanged: “Moving Mountains,” a fully vegan menu, and “Ispirazione,” which includes fish and meat. Guests can choose between six or eight courses, allowing a tailored dining experience that caters to both vegan and omnivorous preferences with equal culinary creativity.
2. Chef Marco Campanella’s Globally Influenced Mediterranean Cuisine
Chef Marco Campanella brings a highly personalized cuisine style that combines simple ingredients with influences from his extensive travels around the world, all infused with a Mediterranean touch reflecting his Italian heritage. This blend of global inspiration and regional flavors creates a unique culinary identity for the restaurant.
3. Seasonal Operation and Chef’s Dual Residency
La Brezza operates primarily in the summer season in Ascona, offering a terrace with exceptional views of Lake Maggiore. In the winter, Chef Campanella moves to the Eden Roc’s sister hotel in Arosa to continue his culinary work, effectively splitting his creative output between two locations and seasons, which is an unconventional approach for a Michelin-starred chef.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant La Brezza in Ascona, led by Chef Marco Campanella, focus on freshness, local sourcing, and Mediterranean influences. Key ingredients include:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used almost exclusively as the fat in cooking, reflecting the Mediterranean roots and emphasizing natural flavors.
- Seasonal and Local Produce from Ticino: Chef Campanella prioritizes fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally, which are carefully selected to highlight the region's culinary heritage.
- Tomatoes: Featured notably in the signature dish "Tomato tartare," showcasing the quality and freshness of this ingredient.
- Fish and Meat: Integral to the "Ispirazione" menu, these ingredients are prepared with a Mediterranean touch and global influences from the chef's travels.
- Vegan Ingredients: Highlighted in the "Moving Mountains" menu, emphasizing plant-based, seasonal, and fresh components with creative combinations.
These ingredients are significant as they represent the restaurant's philosophy of combining Mediterranean flavors with global inspirations while maintaining a strong commitment to freshness, health, and regional identity.