La Chjusella, a family story.

Located on the Oso bridge in the municipality of San Gavino di Carbini, La Chjusella is much more than a restaurant; it’s a living testimony to the history and tradition of the Martinetti family.

The story began in 1986, when Paul and Catherine Martinetti gave their son Jacques a piece of land by the side of the road. Driven by the desire to create a prosperous and unique business, Jacques imagined a restaurant on the side of this busy road. With the help of his family and a group of friends, they quickly managed to erect a small plank shack, which served as their first makeshift restaurant.

Unfortunately, Jacques died tragically in 1990. His sister Joëlle decided to take over the business, honouring her brother’s memory. For five years, she ran it under the rudimentary conditions of the time, striving to maintain the spirit and atmosphere created by Jacques.

In 1995, Joëlle moved the restaurant further back from the road for reasons of safety and comfort. She took the opportunity to bring the restaurant up to standard, both in terms of the kitchens and the fittings, while retaining the original idea of the ‘wooden shack’. This authentic, rustic setting allows visitors to enjoy delicious pizzas and grilled meats.

Joëlle will run the restaurant until 2017, opening its doors seasonally during the busiest times of the year. Over the seasons, all the family’s children and grandchildren have worked here to a greater or lesser extent, each contributing in their own way to the restaurant’s longevity and conviviality.

In 2017, Joëlle could no longer run the business on her own, so she entrusted it to young people from the village. However, she wanted her restaurant, still inhabited by the soul of the family, to return to one of her own. So in 2024, she asked her nephew Nicolas, who had known the history and the place since he was a child, to take it over. Nicolas Gazaniol, a deserving entrepreneur who is well known and highly regarded in the region, took over the reins of the family business.

He renovated the premises, creating a real terrace to increase the restaurant’s capacity, modernising the image and building a car park, while preserving the soul of the place and its warm, friendly atmosphere. In terms of cuisine, Nicolas is bringing back the original concept of the wood-fired Pizzeria Grill, where everything is homemade using fresh, local produce. He also offers a great takeaway menu to complement his pizza menu. Now open all year round, the restaurant employs 12 people. Nicolas’ ambition is for this new team to become a real family, reflecting the values that have guided this establishment for many decades.

La Chjusella is really more than just a restaurant; it’s a tribute to a family history, a place of tradition and sharing where you immediately feel at home. Over the years, this piece of land given by Paul and Catherine to their son Jacques has become a symbol of perseverance, passion and conviviality. And today, under the watchful eye of his grandmother Catherine, who celebrates her 91st birthday this year, Nicolas is continuing this family adventure.