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Our History

Every story is a story of people. And is written, page after page, day after day, year after year.

Our story began more than 50 years ago with Fernanda and Aurelio Dariz, who decided to open the Piezza Refuge in the Giau Pass in 1970.

The mountain hut located between Fedare and the top of the pass soon became renowned for its restaurant – “Da Aurelio” – and a favourite among its customers for its wholesome, tasty cooking.

Ever since he was a young boy, Luigi – Gigi – loved helping his dad in the kitchen, keen to learn everything he could and realising the importance of experience, invaluable to him in the future.

In 1996 Gigi took over the family business and, under his guidance, the restaurant Da Aurelio took a different direction, moving away from the more traditional approach and embracing culinary innovation and research.

Over the years, Gigi decided to give the actual refuge a new look too. A large extension was added to the original building in 2018, creating the dining room with its south-facing windows.

While Gigi Dariz and Aurelio are the protagonists of this story, every member of the team has an important part. Like Annalisa, a key member of staff who manages front of house in a friendly, attentive manner.


Check out our photo gallery to see the milestones in the restaurant’s history:

Da Aurelio, nowadays

The extension

Ristoranti AltoGusto programma 2017-2018

Gigi Dariz guides the family restaurant

vintage passo Giau - Rifugio Piezza foto d'epoca

Early years

Da Aurelio, where fine dining is the ultimate in simplicity and spontaneity.