Callas, a pretty Provencal village set between sea and mountains, is home to a little corner of Italy in the form of Maison Valio, run by chef and pizza-maker Franck Marchese. Customers, including vegetarians, are full of praise for the inspired daily cuisine that renews the pizza experience. The menu features a selection of 17 Neapolitan pizzas - thin dough, thick, honeycombed cornicione, fermented for at least 48 hours and hand-spread - and two pasta variants - Troffie al pesto and Rigatoni alla Valio with San Marzano tomato sauce, tomato confit, burrata and basil - as well as crisp salads accompanied by homemade bread. As for the "Dolce midi" formula, it features a seasonal menu: salad, dish of the day or pizza and gourmet tiramisu. Regulars and visitors alike love to linger in this warmly welcoming establishment, which also boasts a terrace overlooking the hills and a pleasantly cosy interior. An address well worth a visit.
