B&B Cascina in Franciacorta

Le Due Colombe boasts a picturesque setting in a charming village in the heart of the Franciacorta region. The main dining room, housed in an old hay barn, boasts stone walls, a ceiling with wooden beams and a parquet floor, all of which add to the intimate and welcoming atmosphere. The fine cuisine celebrated here includes historic dishes that have become classic favourites and which can be chosen from the three tasting menus. A good example is the beef cooked with olive oil and served with polenta: “Nonna” Elvira made this dish in the post-war period and her grandson Stefano follows the same

Situated in a tranquil street that leads to the centre of Palazzolo sull’Oglio, this stylish restaurant in a 16C palazzo boasts classic elegance and authentic cuisine which is delicious and full of flavour. Here, Aldo and his wife offer guests a warm and informal welcome, always with a smile on their lips.

The new chef at this restaurant focuses on highlighting produce grown in the property’s own kitchen garden, as well as meat from the farm in the Grosseto area that is also run by the Andana estate. The classic-style cuisine on the à la carte features occasional personalised touches (for example, aubergines baked in fig leaf with oregano, and perch or sea bass fillet served with coloured beets and soft potato), while in the evening a tasting menu is served in a dedicated part of the restaurant. The expertly explained wine list focuses on the estate’s own labels and the Franciacorta region in ge

Housed within L’Albereta, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Franciacorta region, this elegant restaurant provides the backdrop for Alberto Quadrio’s fine cuisine. On his various tasting menus and concise à la carte, this chef showcases local ingredients, from lake fish to Bergamo mutton, together with ingredients from further afield and produce grown in the estate’s own kitchen garden. The result is remarkable and elaborate cuisine of the highest quality.

The double entrance to this restaurant can be seen under the arcades in beautiful Piazza Cavour: the first door leads to the ground-floor cocktail bar (open in the evening) while, hidden to the left, there’s a lift which takes guests up to the restaurant itself on the first floor. Here, the contemporary-style dining room is enhanced by bright wallpaper that echoes the imaginative cuisine served by the owner-chef, which is modern, colourful and creatively and carefully presented. The chef is equally skilful with meat (his pigeon cooked “duck à l’orange”-style is superb) and fish, plus the menu

The decor at this restaurant features bottles of wine on the walls (there are around 700 labels on the wine list, with an unsurprising focus on sparkling wines from the local Franciacorta region), while the menu celebrates some of Italy’s best produce, as well as ingredients from further afield, with a focus on Mediterranean flavours. There’s also an excellent cheese selection which will delight cheese-lovers.

In an atmospheric 17th-century barn, adjacent to the cathedral bell tower, takes shape a wine bar of considerable charm. Here to welcome guests is Roberto, patron and cellarman at once, discreet and warm, always ready to share the stories of wines and their local areas. In accompaniment, simple, straightforward cooking with a homely, traditional character, well executed and full of personality, with occasional forays into seafood. Not to be missed are the selection of cured meats and cheeses and the excellent primi piatti, genuine highlights of the offering.