Osteria DaMa — Restaurant in Piode

This review is written from the perspective of people who (1) regularly cook and prepare diverse meals at home, (2) can recreate a wide range of Italian dishes to a high standard, (3) remain open to new culinary experiences, and (4) are willing to spend more when the food truly delivers a gourmet experience.

The restaurant is well located and relatively small. From the outside, however, it simply does not stand out - its yellow painted walls and mismatched roof clash with the beauty of the surrounding architecture. It is, frankly, the ugliest-looking building in Piode. Inside, the music seemed intended to convey sophistication, yet the dining room was uncomfortably hot.

Unfortunately, the initial impression, which wasn't bad, collapsed as soon as the service began. The waiter was chaotic and inattentive: he confused our orders, spilled a bottle on a neighboring table, and didn’t bother with even a simple “scusa” or “sorry.” Not once did he return to ask how we judged the dishes. Waiting 15 minutes for welcome bites was excessive, and in the meantime we had to fetch menus ourselves. In restaurants of this type, a short wait is normal, but leaving guests unattended without a word of explanation is not. The waiter was neither communicative nor proactive, even when gently prompted about food preferences. On top of that, he was audibly breathing, sweaty, and restless, making far too many awkward movements throughout his service.

When the welcome bites finally arrived, things started well. The amuse-bouches were creative, pleasantly surprising, and genuinely impressive. The local Erbaluce wine was also a highlight. Sadly, everything that followed was a culinary letdown. The risotto was a complete failure: bland and tasteless (aside from an unpleasant fishy note that clashed entirely) and topped with a shriveled zucchini flower, an uninspired decoration if there ever was one. Most importantly, the risotto rice was substandard, possibly of poor quality. The ravioli carried nothing but a flat hazelnut flavor; if we had wanted plain hazelnuts, we would have ordered them directly. The panna cotta was dreadful, a total misfire, floating in oddly (and awfully) flavored water. The so-called signature egg dish tasted like something our mothers might have thrown together decades ago, though ironically it was the best of the main servings.

Ultimately, every dish lacked essence, proper seasoning, and imagination. In short: this restaurant is a mistake - pretending to be refined but, in reality, a costly rip-off. The only person amused would be one who knows little about cooking and assumes that “more expensive” automatically means “better.”

If you truly wish to improve, start with the basics: change the chef, improve the service, and stop insulting customers in your replies to negative Google reviews - it only exposes your lack of professionalism. Instead, engage customers in a genuine tasting process and be open to feedback on how to improve. Less fake posh, more real push (forward). Learn from failures such as our experience.

This is intended as constructive criticism - take it...

A Magical Lunch – Osteria DaMa in Piode

What was meant to be a simple lunch stop turned into an unforgettable culinary experience. Osteria DaMa, tucked away in the charming village of Piode, is far more than just a restaurant – it's a place where food is crafted with passion, precision, and heart.

From the moment you walk in, you feel it: an elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. And then, the surprise – the chef himself guided us through the entire four-course lunch with genuine warmth, attention to detail, and pride in every plate.

Each course was a small masterpiece – perfectly balanced, creatively composed, and full of authentic flavor. Nothing felt overdone; everything was just right. Paired with a spot-on wine recommendation, the meal became an experience to savor slowly, and remember for a long time.

What truly sets Osteria DaMa apart is the hospitality. The service was flawless – friendly, attentive, and sincere. It didn’t feel like dining out; it felt like being welcomed into someone’s home where every detail is taken care of with love.

And despite the high level of cuisine and service, the value for money was outstanding. You leave not only full and happy – but a little enchanted.

Osteria DaMa is a hidden gem. Once you've been, you'll carry it with you – and you'll...

"La cucina è un gioco. Serio!" lo dicono lo chef Massa e la signora Olga. E' esattamente quello che troverete accomodandovi ai tavoli di questa "perla" della Val Sesia. Un continuo gioco, ma assolutamente serio e competente, visto che si tratta di cibo, tra sapori, colori, abbinamenti, preparazioni e impiattamenti. In sala la signora Olga che, come una discreta e gentile "farfalla", volerà da voi e vi illustrerà le portate, le materie prime dai fornitori locali selezionati, i vini, e potrà consigliarvi in modo preciso; in cucina la mano sapiente e magica dello chef Danilo Massa, giovane chef si, ma con già importanti esperienze alle spalle e, cosa ben più rilevante, le idee per il futuro assolutamente chiare. Al momento della nostra visita, cena in 3 persone di mercoledì 21 Agosto, in carta, anche in relazione alla disponibilità stagionale delle materie prime, erano presenti 3 antipasti, 3 primi, 3 secondi e 2 menù degustazioni da 4 oppure 6 portate "a mano libera" secondo la fantasia dello chef. Tralascio volutamente di parlare in dettaglio dei piatti, che potete leggere dal menu disponibile on line sul loro sito, e non dispongo delle solite foto dei piatti, a mio parere "pornogastronomiche" (non le faccio proprio, preferisco mangiare...meglio quelle sul loro sito...) ma nomino solo, come esempio perchè disponibili al momento della nostra visita, i favolosi Tagliolini Affumicati Burro Fieno e Salmerino, che appena li avrete terminati, vorreste vedere riapparire magicamente nel piatto per poterli gustare novamente. Questa è la cucina di chef Massa, emozioni allo stato puro. Con un coraggio ammirevole chef Massa e la signora Olga hanno scommesso su questo progetto, fuori dalle rotte "convenzionali", in un paese antico, e ci credono fortemente. 5 Stelle più che meritate quindi, e un unico atroce dubbio... Augurare che arrivi, magari, anche la sesta stella ? Il "macaron" della nota guida rossa ? Ma se questo volesse dire "paletti", "imposizioni", "regole" e "schemi" troppo rigidi per questi 2 "ragazzi" coraggiosi ? Non me ne vogliano chef Massa e la sua signora, ma personalmente spero...