Opened in 1954 by Maria and Edoardo Penna, the restaurant (named for Maria), is now run by a third generation of the Penna family: Giorgio and his wife Franca and his brother Roberto. The typical cuisine of the Monferrato and the area around Asti includes traditional recipes like Piedmontese fritto misto, la finanziera, agnolotti still made by hand, quality meats of the region, and of course, a cart full of Piedmontese cheeses, served with house-made mostarda (a traditional fruit spread), and traditional sweets made by Chef Giorgio.
The vast array of Piedmontese antipasti are prepared with seasonal ingredients. The wine cellar offers a rich selection of wines from Piedmont and Italy.