In one of the oldest buildings in Flaibano, in the province of Udine, Grani di Pepe is a gourmet atelier where art and design accompany a culinary proposal that travels between territories and poetic suggestions.
On the main street of the small Friulian town, hidden behind a high white wall, an unexpected world is hidden: a notary’s house from 1779 transformed into an authentic wunderkammer of hospitality.
The souls of the project, born in 2005, are Marta, queen of the kitchen, Eric, who does his utmost to welcome and manage the room together with Federica, Marta’s sister. Three complementary professionals who have contributed over the years to giving life to this truly surprising place.
Our spaces are constantly evolving, as is our culinary offering, because we truly love to surprise our guests.
(Marta, chef)
Purchased in the nineties as a private residence by Marta and Eric, who fell in love with the atmosphere of the building, its articulated spaces and its lush gardens, the house was then transformed into something new without losing its vocation as a welcoming home.
The restaurant is made up of two super romantic outdoor green spaces and various rooms, each with its own different character, furnished with an eclectic style and a “homy” flavor that you can feel as soon as you cross the threshold when you are embraced by dozens of books by photography, sculptures and original installations.
The interior décor is the result of the sensitivity of the owners who, with passion and a lot of research, have created spaces full of personality, including antiques and many design objects that give each room a unique style.
From Fantoni‘s boiseries to Riva furniture, from Artemide and Flos lights to the works of Ingo Maurer, the journey through the various environments turns into a walk through the history of design from the Sixties to today.
The seasonal menu offers surprising contaminations between local products and references to both Friulian and Emilian traditions, reflecting the double origins of the owners. A “cultural cuisine” as Marta likes to call it, with good reason, capable of telling an authentic life story through tastes and combinations.
Must-haves include black rice with truffles and cannellini beans with vegetable mirepoix on ruby cream, parmesan ice cream and crunchy black cabbage puff pastry. More than twenty years of research distinguishes the wine list that offers, in addition to local and national proposals, more than 100 labels of champagne, personally selected from the best French producers.
The wonderful double outdoor garden, an Eden designed by the landscape designer Ruggero Bosco together with Eric, welcomes guests in the summer among chairs by Gervasoni and works of art that peek out from the greenery.
Continuously changing, like the seasons, these wonderful green spaces also reflect the authentic soul of Grani di Pepe made of beauty, authenticity and true love for hospitality.
The Secret
During the restoration of the building, an ancient and mysterious fresco was found on the wall overlooking the street. The opera, probably made by a guest of the notary family who lived there in the 18th century, portrays a white peacock with a crown in its paw and a globe above its head with a now almost illegible date. Depending on the day, based on the temperature and the light, the fresco appears and disappears from the view of passers-by, giving live to a curious phenomenon.
(Photos of the dishes ph. Marco Fadelli)
Useful Info
Grani di Pepe
Via Cavour 44
Flaibano, Udine
Tel. +39 0432 869356
Entrées: 18 — 20 euro
First courses: 18 — 20 euro
Main courses: 24 euro
Dessert: 10 euro
Tasting menù: from 70 euro
