Food: creative cooking, specializing in risotto     
Address: Corso Magenta, 71 – Vercelli 13100, Italy
Website:  christianemanuel.itchristianemanuel.it/en/
What I paid: 335 € (2 tasting menus, one bottle of wine, water, 2 coffee)
Visited: August 24, 2023

If pasta and pizza are the two most famous food in Italy, risotto must be a close third. Half the amount of the rice grown in Italy are from Piedmont, especially around Vercelli in the northern part of Italy. There are restaurants specializing in risotto, so called risotterias, in the region and restaurant Christian e Manuel is one of the most famous and highly rated.

Brothers Christian and Manuel Costardi are at the forefront of the new risotto movement. The menu at the family restaurant they run inside Hotel Cinzia, is a celebration of rice dishes, particularly risottos. With an impressive selection of twenty different risottos, each prepared with utmost care and finesse, the restaurant takes guests on a gastronomic journey with emphasis on risotto. From classic combinations to innovative flavor pairings, the risottos are a testament to the chef’s culinary expertise. The restaurant’s commitment to top-quality ingredients and the region’s culinary heritage shines through in every dish.

Beyond risottos, Christian & Manuel also offers an enticing array of land and sea specialties. Whether you’re a fan of tender meat dishes or succulent seafood creations, you’ll find something to satisfy your palate. Furthermore, the well-curated wine list perfectly complements the flavors on offer, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Overall, Christian & Manuel is a well worth food visit, especially if you are keen on risotto and maybe as a combo together with the nearby world-famous wine regions in Piedmont, Barbaresco and Barolo.