Antonia Klugmann, the chef and owner of the Italian restaurant L’Argine in Vencò, a village near the Slovenian border, discovered her passion for cooking during her law school studies. She honed her skills through apprenticeships in various North-East Italian restaurants, eventually becoming an entrepreneur and renting her first restaurant.

After years of experience, Antonia decided to create her own project. She chose the Collio Goriziano, a region renowned for its wine production and sharing cultural and historical ties with her hometown of Trieste. L’Argine a Vencò opened its doors in 2014, featuring a modern blend of wood and glass  among picturesque vineyards and hills. The restaurant boasts four cozy double rooms, providing a comfortable place for guests to unwind after a delightful dinner.

Antonia’s cuisine is a vibrant expression of seasonal flavors, featuring innovative recipes crafted using locally sourced ingredients that showcase the rich biodiversity of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region. Vegetables, fruits, and herbs, both cultivated and wild, hold a special place in her culinary creations. Antonia is committed to sustainability, sourcing locally, reducing waste, and creatively enhancing every aspect of her ingredients. “I feel a responsibility to help people recognize the beauty in the most common ingredients and to study the best ways to enhance them without waste. The concepts of beauty and luxury must coincide with ethics. Beauty is respect for the environment.”

Antonia’s Jewish-Italian heritage influences her cuisine, creating a unique blend of traditions and personal experiences. She aims to captivate her guests by presenting a diverse array of dishes that reflect her cultural background. “I love creating things that have not been there before. However, my new creations always imply personal experience as well as the continuation of tradition. I want people to see this diversity when trying my dishes,”explains chef Klugmann’s philosophy