Borgo Petrarca

“Clean”, almost naive dishes full of clear and defined flavours take centre-stage at Incàlmo, where the cuisine is distinctly unfussy with no unnecessary frills. As a result, ingredients are clearly recognisable (as is the way they are prepared), allowing guests to focus on their contrasting textures and flavours. In the chef’s view, “if one element does stand out, it’s probably the bitter flavours that we enjoy playing with,” says the chef, “while at the same time balancing this with other elements. We also prioritise the use of vegetables.”

At this restaurant, the two brothers (the owners) who work together front of house come from a family of farmers whose meat features on the menu, while two other brothers, originally from Rome but settled in the Veneto for many years, are at the helm in the kitchen. The original and colourful cuisine aims to please both the eyes and the palate, with dishes showcased on tasting menus and an à la carte – the quail served with a caponata of apricots, yucca and porcini mushroom mayonnaise was particularly memorable. Housed in the Villa Lussana, with its seven Art Nouveau-style guestrooms, the rest