Agriturismo Cascina Donda - Lessona

A family run farmstay in the countryside serving simple homemade locally sourced food. No menus, no wine lists, just a set menu of whatever is good that day. Open to the public on occasional weekends or whenever enough people book ahead. Just call or email in advance to find a date to book. We started with a cold meat platter before owner Alessandro served a local cheese on crispy bread. Next was a large plate of thinly sliced ox tongue in a parsley and anchovy sauce, followed by mini zucchini flans topped with a cheese fondue sauce. This being the rice bowl of Italy, the fifth course was a local risotto with mountain basil, and the sixth course was an aubergine pasta, packed with warm Mediterranean flavour from the deep fried aubergine. At this point Alessandro suggested all patrons four tables, around 30 people take a stroll in the grounds of the estate there are horses, goats, peacocks and a donkey. After the intermission came a dish of thinly sliced pork in sage accompanied by an apple, cinnamon, bread and brandy sauce, and a dish of fried ratatouille vegetables. We ordered six puddings between the four of us including a refreshing dish of creamy ice cream floating in strong black coffee. The price was incredibly reasonable and this was for us the perfect introduction to Italian country cuisine. Fabulous food, local Nebbiolo wine and a lovely family running the restaurant. Not to be missed.

I was in this farm on the occasion of a family lunch. the main characteristics of the place are: the very nice environment immersed in nature and abundant courses with typical dishes and local products. recommended!

We spent the weekend in cascina donda: we were great! Quiet and very welcoming place. the hospitality of the owners, alessandro and valeria, was very good: discreet, helpful and attentive. their children, Ariadne and rich man, were excellent companions of play for our son. My husband, moreover, could follow a lesson dedicated to the horse thanks to the advice of eugenio that he also managed to get some familiarity with ponies to our child of years and a half. Thank you all very much.