A refuge amid the unspoiled nature of the Aurina Valley, where time seems to stand still and your thoughts become lighter: this is Amonti Chalets. The distinctive and elegant cuisine created by Chef Tina Marcell in the Johanns restaurant is a blend of tradition and innovation.
Photo credits: Jürgen Schmücking
THE FACILITY
The mountain air has a different scent in Valle Aurina, a hint of pine and earth that envelops you and seems to reset your mind. As soon as I arrived at Amonti Chalets, this feeling became even more vivid, almost palpable. A place that reveals itself to be a refuge of rare elegance, where nature blends harmoniously with hospitality that seeks authenticity and refinement, conveying an almost unreal peace, as if the outside world could really stay outside, at least for a few days.
Almost suspended above Molini di Tures, the structure, with its 23 independent chalets, offers a promise of absolute privacy and comfort. Upon entering, you immediately feel a reassuring warmth: the bright and welcoming interiors become silent narrators of the valley through local materials and details that reveal a widespread love of craftsmanship. Every detail tells a story of authenticity, that of the Steger family tradition, while tranquility and freedom become your traveling companions. The message, or rather the promise, is that of a stay far from the hustle and bustle, where everyone can experience the mountains at their own pace. Gourmet breakfasts served directly in the chalets, a private spa, and alpine wellness treatments make your stay a personalized experience, balancing intimacy and shared pleasures.
THE CUISINE OF CHEF TINA MARCELLI
But while the heart of the property beats to the scent of wood and the view of the mountains, the true soul of this experience is revealed at the table. This is where you will encounter the gastronomic “voice” ofAmonti Chalets: Chef Tina Marcelli. Her cuisine is not just food, but a blend of memory and innovation. "For me, cooking means leaving a memory; it is simply my life. And then the table means sharing and well-being. I will never forget what my grandmother Rosa, my muse, always said, because she taught me almost everything, because at her table 'no one ever argued. She didn't have a recipe book, she cooked by eye and I tried to take notes. For me, she was a real cook, she knew how to convey an extraordinary intensity of feelings even without perfect technique. I carry all her recipes with me, adding my own touch," says the chef with a smile.
It is immediately apparent that Tina honed her talent among the aromas of her family's kitchens, enriching it with international experiences before finally deciding to return to her roots, bringing with her a gastronomic vision that combines the tradition of the Ahrntal Valley with a creativity that knows no bounds, except for respect for the raw ingredients. It is a philosophy that is nourished by the territory: each ingredient is chosen with almost reverential care, often directly from small producers in the valley, in constant dialogue with seasonality and sustainability.
“I owe part of my journey to my parents and the three years I spent working alongside them in a restaurant in San Candido. But I soon realized that I wanted to go further, to cook different dishes. So I started to seek out other experiences and travel.” What makes Tina Marcelli's approach so personal is her extraordinary ability to reinterpret iconic dishes from South Tyrolean culinary culture without ever, even for a moment, betraying their deepest essence. Her dishes reveal a tangible respect for history, but at the same time a vibrant desire to surprise.
THE RITUAL AT JOHANNS
Tina's philosophy extends to the atmosphere at the JOHANNS restaurant. Dinner seems to linger: it is not just a meal, but a ritual, a journey that starts from the most authentic roots of local cuisine and elegantly opens up to contemporary influences, while keeping an eye on the mountains in their purest form. I savored a delicate beef tartare with fermented cauliflower and fir; a risotto with pecorino cheese, from a mountain dairy just a few kilometers away, enriched with wild herbs picked that morning in the surrounding meadows, a harmonious blend of flavors that encapsulated the landscape in a single bite; the game meats were enhanced by light sauces and almost forgotten vegetables, while the pre-dessert evoked the most intimate scents of the forest, with notes of berries, honey, and resin.
Thus, each course becomes a true sensory journey, a skilful interplay of textures, colours and aromas that reveal the Aurina Valley in a new, deeply personal and exciting way. Alongside Tina in the kitchen, as in life, is her wife Kim. “There are no labels to define her, she simply ‘is’, the perfect other half, even in the kitchen.” And for desserts, Sandra, another trusted member of her team for nine years, who has followed her on this new adventure.
Saying goodbye to this place and returning to everyday life means taking with you the feeling of having experienced something deeply rooted in the land and in the hearts of those who live there. Amonti Chalets and Tina Marcelli's cuisine are, after all, an invitation to let yourself be surprised by the beauty and simplicity of things done with passion, in that corner of the world where time really seems to stand still.
ADDRESS
Amonti Chalets/Ristorante Johanns
Mühlwalderstraße, 9, 39032 - Molini di Tures BZ
Phone +39 0474 646 000
info@amontichalets.com
