What a gem! A real hole in the wall in the beautiful Valle Anzasca.
This gem is a a fairly small shop with laboratory and retail shop in the same location. A large windows allow visitor to see the laboratory and the food preparation process (for those who trust only what they see LOL)
Dalla Dispensa offers a variety of local food and delicatessens prepared directedly in the shop itself or by local producers, mainly using local ingredients.
DELICATESSEN
The menu is seasonal and based on ingredient availability (as it should be for real local places). Some of the plates I tried and I strongly suggest are:
lasagne; cannelloni with porcini mushroom; gnocchi; ravioli.
I want to give a special mention to the ravioli: they are excellent. But really really excellent. They come with local herbs, beef, or "toma di Macugnaga" (local cheese). The "toma di Macugnaga" have probably been the best ravioli I ever tried in my life (I'm serious)
CHEESES and CHARCUTERIES
small but very well balanced mix of local cheeses and charcuteries, including the main ranges of flavors for all the tastes. Based on availability they also sell wild local games.
WINES
Good variety of wines, mainly local. Nebbiolo grapes seem to play the dominant role in the selection, both for the local wines (Prunent) and the regional ones (Barolo).
PRESERVES and MORE
You will find a large selection of preserves, marmalades, sottolio, and similar. I haven't tried many of them but I enjoyed every single one I had
BAKERY
Yes, this little gem also bakes carbs in different forms: bread, focaccia, pizza in teglia. We ordered more than once the full trail of pizza and focaccia. For me that is the way to go: you cut them in little squares, you add some cheeses and charcuterie and you have a quick and rich aperitivo.
IMPORTANT TIP
Since the place is small and everything is fresh, I strongly suggest you to order food the day before, mainly if you need larger quantities and if you have a special request. The owners are impressively cordial and genuinely eager to satisfy their clients.
OVERALL
Excellent! Dalla Dispensa has been the best culinary discover of our summer read more