After a diversion from the Statale Del Caffaro, you arrive in Bagolino, located at the foot of the road that climbs up to the Crocedomini Pass and then descends again to Valle Camonica. In the middle of the village is the restaurant ‘La Trattoria del Viandante‘. Opened in 1991 by Marco Scalvini, who converted some old cellars, it is today run by Ms Marilena and her daughter Sara.
Upon entering the dining room, with 40 comfortable seats, one breathes a rustic but cosy atmosphere, partly due to the old work tools with which it is furnished. Formerly used for all kinds of trades that have now largely disappeared, they now give the pleasant feeling of diving into bygone times. Traditional cuisine is made unique by Sara’s personal interpretation with many small, anxiously guarded details. Starting with the first courses, which include the orecchiette del viandante, homemade pasta seasoned with a mixture of vegetables and sauteed in a frying pan with cream, or the malfatti, a kind of bread gnocchi, green due to the addition of wild spinach in the dough, or the various other dishes, enriched with the many wild herbs that grow in the meadows and forests around the village.
This is followed by the tasty main dishes, including, strictly according to the season, roast suckling pig, goat and game. Of course, do not miss Bagòss, the typical local cheese with its aromatic and strong flavour. The result of a special and meticulous selection in the malga, it finds its exaltation here, whether it is used as an ingredient in the many preparations, or served straight from the moulds as a dish or to finish the meal. And don’t forget the delicious desserts to finish, all homemade.
In summer, you can also sit outside.
A wide and careful selection of bottles from many Italian regions is available for those who like to complement their meal with a good glass of wine.