Our Roots
Mezzaluna was started by us, Daniela Zaccuri and Claudio Viano, and has its roots in our youth. Back then, we were already combining our passion for cooking with a deep desire to contribute to a more just and harmonious world. For this reason, we chose a plant-based diet, that can satisfy not only the body but also the soul, and developed the desire to help spread its knowledge. During our experiments and practice in the kitchen, we encountered macrobiotics, which led us to discover and begin exploring new perspectives on the link between food, health, and nature. Macrobiotics proposes a complete plant-based diet built on non-refined whole grains, legumes, and seaweed, and on an important principle: fresh, handmade food transmits vital energy to those who consume it, deeply nourishing the body and spirit.
We immersed ourselves in this philosophy in the Roman countryside, near Viterbo, at the Circolo Vegetariano (Vegetarian Club) in Calcata, a charming medieval village surrounded by nature.
There we spent our days cooking for our customers natural ingredients and wild herbs picked in the surrounding woods, and organizing barbecues in the garden with tofu and seitan from nearby Rome. It was our life, simple and authentic, and we felt the desire to make it a concrete reality, to express ourselves and our values.
Mezzaluna
La Saggezza del Gusto
We have no secrets; we share everything we know, which is why, a few years ago, we published our book, La Saggezza del Gusto (The Wisdom of Taste), a collection of recipes and stories aimed at bringing vegan food into people’s homes.
The book was printed in 1,000 copies, which are now sold out, but we are always happy to answer any questions you may have at our restaurant counter!