Mantello, Italy
From Michelin Guide
This welcoming Valtellina-style Stube restaurant decorated in sweet-scented cembra pinewood is the perfect setting in which to enjoy local specialities and vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own garden. Zero-mile ingredients (the restaurant takes its name from the word for “manger” in the local dialect and also boasts its own dairy) and visual experimentation are the distinctive features of the regional cuisine served here, with game, DOP Bitto cheese and even local truffles all appearing on the menu. Fans of Alpine cuisine can choose from two tasting menus, which must be chosen online at the time of booking. The first is shorter and traditional, while the second is slightly more creative yet still firmly anchored in the local region. The impressive wine list offers an excellent choice of regional wines.
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique and unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant La Preséf in Mantello:
1. First Michelin-starred Agriturismo in Italy
La Preséf is the very first agriturismo (farm stay with restaurant) in Italy to be awarded a Michelin star, achieving this distinction just two years after opening in 2011. This makes it unique as a Michelin-starred restaurant deeply integrated within a working farm environment, blending rural tradition with haute cuisine.
2. Zero-kilometer supply chain and sustainability focus
The restaurant operates with a strict zero-kilometer philosophy, sourcing all ingredients from its own farm or local producers. It has its own dairy, vegetable plots, and livestock reared with high welfare standards, allowing complete control over ingredient quality and sustainability. The stable roof even produces 135% of the restaurant’s energy needs, reflecting a strong commitment to eco-friendly practices. La Preséf was also awarded the Michelin Green Star for its excellence in sustainability.
3. Cuisine as a journey of emotions rooted in local culture
Chef Gianni Tarabini describes the cuisine as a "restaurant of emotions," where dishes creatively reinterpret local Valtellina traditions using raw materials from the farm and surrounding region. The restaurant is housed in a rustic building made of stone and wood, surrounded by barns, vegetable gardens, and pastures, creating a unique dining atmosphere that connects guests directly to the land and its millennia-old rural culture.
These features distinguish La Preséf as an exceptional restaurant that combines Michelin-starred culinary innovation with authentic agrarian heritage and environmental responsibility.
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored and signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant La Preséf in Mantello are closely tied to its zero-kilometer, farm-to-table philosophy and the local Valtellina territory:
Fresh Milk from the Farm’s Herd: Considered the farm’s “white gold,” this milk embodies the seasonal flavors of the Valtellina region and is the foundation for many dishes.
Valtellina Casera DOP Cheese: This renowned cheese is a key ingredient, reflecting centuries-old mountain dairy traditions and the love for local animals and territory. It features prominently on the menu as a protagonist ingredient.
Other Dairy Products from the Valtellina Dairy: Various cheeses and dairy products crafted daily by the farm’s dairymen are central to the cuisine, showcasing the mountain pastures’ seasonal bounty.
Meat from the Farm’s Livestock (Cows, Goats, Pigs): Raised sustainably with animal welfare in mind, the meat is processed on-site and used in dishes that respect local traditions and flavors.
Vegetables and Small Fruits Grown on the Farm: These contribute fresh, seasonal elements to the dishes, reinforcing the zero-kilometer supply chain concept.
These ingredients are significant because they represent a direct connection to the land and the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability, tradition, and quality. The cheeses, especially the Valtellina Casera DOP, are often featured in signature dishes that narrate the story of the territory and its mountain dairy heritage. The fresh milk and dairy products provide a base for rich, authentic flavors, while the farm-raised meats and produce ensure freshness and respect for the environment.
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