Caino

Pay a visit to Montemerano if you want to be amazed. There’s the beauty of the stone houses in one of Italy’s prettiest villages. It also happens to be home to Caino, run by Valeria Piccini. She’s a top-ranking Italian chef, the farmers’ daughter and in love with her land. She could never leave this place where her roots run deep. Caino opened its doors in 1971, with Angela and Carisio Menichetti (Caino was Carisio’s nickname), and Valeria started frequenting the restaurant when she was just fourteen. Here, she delved into the kitchen, drew inspiration and acquired technique, learning to express herelf through cooking. To top it off, she fell in love with and married Angela and Caino’s son, sommelier Maurizio. Today, the son they’ve had together, Andrea, manages the wine cellar. Theirs is definitely a family-run restaurant, and their story one of love for Tuscany’s Maremma, which keeps growing every day and will continue to grow for a very long time. From the Sea-salted salad to the Gin-basted pigeon, Caino does not disappoint, and whatever your choice, you shall be rewarded. On the upper level, three elegant 19th-century style rooms await overnight guests, as does a scrumptious breakfast.