Giulia and Filippo's passion and dedication are reflected in their attention to every detail, from the family environment to the polite service. The choice to devote each dish to a person or place makes every dining experience a true celebration of connections and friendships.
Locanda Viola is not just a restaurant, but a meeting point where stories, flavors and traditions come together in a familiar and welcoming environment. The restaurant was born from the inspiration of Giulia Crippa and Filippo Moriggi, a couple in life and work who have cultivated a genuine passion for cooking and hospitality for years. The choice of name is not accidental: Viola is a tribute to Giulia's great-grandmother, Viola Maria, a woman with a strong character who ran an inn during World War II.
Giulia wanted to dedicate the restaurant to her and her daughters, who helped sustain the business during such a difficult historical period, carrying on a family tradition that is renewed today with a contemporary spirit. Every dish and every choice of the Locanda, in fact, represents the fruit of experiences, encounters and teachings gathered by Giulia and Filippo during their travels around the world.
THE TIMELESS CHARM OF THE LOCATION
Located in the heart of Lower Bergamo, in Pagazzano, Locanda Viola is a place that enchants from the first glance. Every detail has been personally taken care of by Giulia and Filippo, who have transformed the spaces into a warm and historically rich environment. The exposed beams, which still show traces of past eras, the solid wood tables and carefully chosen furnishings create a unique and intimate atmosphere. Here each guest can find his or her own space: the tables, one different from the other, are designed precisely to give each guest a special corner in which to feel at home. It is an environment that inspires serenity and reminds of an authentic and genuine welcome, the one that Filippo and Giulia have experienced in their travels and that they wish to offer every day to their guests.
A STORY OF ENCOUNTERS AND FLAVORS: GIULIA AND FILIPPO
Giulia and Filippo have not only traveled the roads of the world: from each place they have brought with them a piece of culture, which today is reflected in the Locanda's dishes. From Brazil to New Zealand to Asia and the Middle East, their culinary and life experiences intertwine in a mosaic of flavors. In New Zealand, they worked for years at the prestigious Relais & Châteaux Otahuna Lodge, where they learned the art of hospitality at levels of excellence. In Asia, between Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia, Philip studied local recipes and honed his knowledge of spices and techniques. Each dish tells a story of encounters with people who have left their mark, such as Valentina, Dallas, Pilar and many other friends he has met on this long journey.
A TASTING BETWEEN ONE CONTINENT AND ANOTHER
The “ ‘Il Nostro Viaggio’ (Our Journey) tasting menu offered at Locanda Viola is a veritable food and wine tour that starts in Italy and travels through South American, Asian and Middle Eastern flavors. Here is an overview of the tastings guests can enjoy, each dedicated to a person or place that inspired Giulia and Filippo.
Welcome with pumpkin and fragrant sauce
The course begins with an entrée that is striking in its simplicity and taste: a pumpkin waffle, served with a sauce of tomatoes and garlic oil. This light, yet bold dish celebrates the authentic taste of seasonal produce and opens as a warm invitation.
Valentina's Empanadas
The experience continues with Chilean empanadas, a tribute to Pedro's mother, a great friend of the couple. The recipe, authentic and handed down, calls for a soft and fragrant dough that encloses a spicy meat filling. The dish perfectly represents the idea of conviviality and hospitality typical of South American cuisine.
Hong Kong Dumplings
Dumplings steamed and then pan seared are an homage to Asia. Stuffed with cabbage and shiitake mushrooms, they are served with two sauces: hoisin and sweet chili, which balance the earthy flavor of the mushrooms with a sweet and spicy touch. Filippo perfected this recipe during a trip to Hong Kong, where he learned the secrets of Cantonese cuisine.
Thai Curry with Shrimp
More than just a dish, Thai Curry with Shrimp is a symbol of the Inn's customers' love for Thai cuisine. A spicy red curry is softened by coconut milk and enriched with Mediterranean shrimp, accompanied by basmati rice. This recipe, born out of an encounter in a small Asian restaurant, has become one of the most beloved dishes on the menu, so much so that many customers return specifically to order it.
Spicy Chicken Wings
Chicken wings, selected by local excellence Cazzaniga Elio Carni, are carefully marinated to ensure juicy, enveloping tenderness. Thai spices lend a harmonious and complex balance, making this dish a true explosion of flavors that remains unforgettable at first taste.
Dallas Indian Curry
An enveloping comfort food that tells of friendships born during work hours. Indian curry is made with braised mutton, cooked long with a blend of thirteen aromatic spices. The dish, which smells of coriander and cumin, is complemented by a creamy potato and herb oil. Philip learned the secrets of this dish from Dallas, a well-known cook in New Zealand, who taught him the art of Indian cooking.
Pilar and Augustina's Churros.
The tasting ends on a sweet note: churros. Prepared following the Argentine recipe of friends Pilar and Augustina, these small fried sticks are covered with sugar and cinnamon and accompanied by a dulce de leche sauce. It is a dessert that, while reminiscent of South American markets, tastes of home and sharing.
Cochinita Pibil by Rosa
Last but not least is the unreleased Cochinita Pibil, which will be on the menu from December. Prepared in the Mexican tradition, with marinated and slow-cooked pork, this dish is a gift from Rosa, Pedro's partner, who shared her family recipe. It is a taste of Mexico that will be available on the menu starting in December.
ONE BIG FAMILY
At Locanda Viola, every guest is welcomed as a longtime friend. Giulia and Filippo's passion and dedication are reflected in their attention to every detail, from the familiar ambiance to the courteous service. The choice to dedicate each dish to a person or place makes each dining experience a celebration of bonds and friendships that confirms the impression you get as soon as you cross the threshold: it is not just a place to eat well, but a space where you feel welcomed as at home, accompanied on a journey between continents, cultures and flavors. For Giulia and Filippo, each encounter represents a new opportunity for exchange and growth, and each dish tells a true story, made of authentic flavors and recipes handed down. In this sense, Locanda Viola truly represents an extended family, where the kitchen is the meeting point of cultures, experiences and sincere smiles.
Contact
Locanda Viola
Via Morengo 164, Pagazzano (BG)
Phone +39 0363 70 39 56
Email info@locandaviola.com
Instagram: @locandaviola
