Welcome to one of my favorite restaurants in Italy. I have dined here for lunch and dinner several times, during different times of year, experiencing the various seasons’ ingredients and their resulting interpreted dishes. Every time I return, I am amazed by the quality and the workmanship and the attention to detail in both the ingredients used, and the artful presentations.

Cucina Ai Monti was a random discovery I am so very glad I experienced

One day, I found myself exploring the energetic little medieval village of Bracciano (just 35 minutes Northwest of Rome). Bracciano is where my aunt and grandfather are from, and where I lived with my family during 4 years of my life. I have fond memories of this village and feel at home when I return. It is an easy drive or train ride from central Rome, and a welcome reprieve from the busy city life. A looming full blown fairytale castle dominates the top of the hill and most of the restaurants and bars reside just below it, up against the massive defensive walls. Bracciano is a picture perfect medieval village that transports you back in time, when the world was unplugged and life’s priorities were based on procurance and survival. It is not to say that life was not hard back then, of course! I like to imagine it being simpler though… all things considered. Call me a romantic ;)

Back to my random encounter with the owners of Cucina Ai Monti… I found myself in Bracciano one day months ago in 2020, enjoying a creamy amarena and pistacchio gelato on a warm autumn day (more on gelato in another blog post). As I sat on the outside bench enjoying my gelato as the sun was setting low in the western sky, a man popped out of the restaurant doorway next door. The man is Aldo. Aldo and the gelato owner know each other well and began to talk about life… of course I was invited to join in the chatter. I had a delightful time saying a whole lot of simple nothingness, which was just what the doctor ordered on such a calm and relaxing afternoon. No talk of politics, no talk of world issues, just a fun and friendly and casual chat. It all lead to Aldo asking me where I had come from and what I was doing in Bracciano, to which I explained my family history in the village AND my DivoraDestinations culinary work. He became even more excited! He immediately introduced me to his partner and chef, Claudia, and gave me a tour of their cozy restaurant, her fabulous professional kitchen, and their delicious original menu. We exchanged phone numbers and social media contact information and immediately became friends. I could not remain for dinner that day, unfortunately, however I did return a few days later with Alex (Divora’s Sommelier) for lunch… and boy was it all that I had imagined and more!

Aldo and Claudia recognized me immediately and welcomed us with open arms. We sat on one of their wonderful little tables outside, below the castle walls, and were showered with one of a kind foods and a delicious local bottle of wine. The menu in the fall reflected the fresh ingredients available in local markets and farms, which consisted of various types of squash, fresh made pasta and locally procured fish. We let them dictate what we should have to eat, which is the best way to truly taste the talents of a chef.

Chef Claudia is a CULINARY genius

Classically trained over the years, originally from Romania but perfectly adapted to the intricate cuisine of central Italy. She has found a way to combine her Romanian roots with Italian ingredients, creating dishes that are completely unique to her, respecting the Mediterranean values of cooking. She uses herbs and spices that are foraged by friends in the hills around Bracciano, and fish that is procured from the sea just 30 minutes away, and Bracciano lake, just down the hill. The pasta is made fresh every day by her in the morning. The wine is local to the regions immediately surrounding Lazio, and wonderful paired. We were offered appetizers, first courses and a second course, not to mention her home made desserts. This first lunch experience with the talents of Cucina Ai Monti only increased my desire to return as often as possible, with the changing of the season (ie: of the available ingredients) and my desire to bring my Divora travelers as well!

The last time I enjoyed a meal at Cucina Ai Monti was yesterday…

That’s right! I can’t stay away ;) I hadn’t been there in 2 months so I was due for a visit, plus it is almost summer now (June 4, 2021) so I knew I would be greeted by an entirely different menu. Once again, I had to hold back my emotional tears of joy as I ate the two appetizers and first course. Claudia chose the dishes for me, as usual, and boy was I in heaven during the 3 hour lunch! Lunch lasted 3 hours because I had the upmost pleasure of meeting one of their collaborating chef friends, and world-renowned actor/restauranteur, Mr Andy Luotto. He happened to be at Cucina Ai Monti yesterday helping consult with chef Claudia. We ended up enjoying lunch and a bottle of wine together and become great friends. I foresee a fabulous cooperation with him and his culinary empire!

If there is one thing you should take away from the article, is the knowledge that talent comes from anywhere. That a person who leaves her own country to become someone special, CAN become someone special on her own accord. A Romanian woman with humble roots, had the tenacity and grit to leave her home behind, learn a new language and navigate through a male-dominated Italian world of cuisine, by working as hard as she could, so create this masterpiece of an establishment. Michelin Star experience, classically trained, inspiring life choices and enviable thirst for life. This is who chef Claudia is.

Do you see the art behind her dishes?
They are as beautiful as they are delicious

Please consider joining me on one of my Rome and Lazio culinary tours, so I may being you to Cucina Ai Monti to be treated as I am treated, over a delicious hand crafted artful meal. We will either take the train from Rome to Bracciano (and back) or we can have a private car take us here and back to Rome. Regardless, we will spend a delightful afternoon in one of my childhood villages alongside my good friends Aldo and Claudia at Cucina Ai Monti.