Eating & Drinking in Piedmont: 2016 Edition

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | OCTOBER 14, 2016

Piedmont is strikingly beautiful pretty much all the time, but it is especially magical this time of year. The last days of summer melt into fall, temperatures drop, leaves burst into glorious expressions of color and the buzz of harvest is in the air. Mushrooms and white truffles add to the natural bounty of the Piedmontese table. There is no better season to explore Piedmont’s vinous and gastronomical riches.

This year’s round up of the best places to eat and drink in Piedmont includes two new entries. All of the restaurants in this article have been chosen with the wine traveller in mind and are therefore mostly within a short distance from the major Barolo and Barbaresco-producing towns. Readers visiting Piedmont will find a mind-boggling array of dining choices, including many restaurants that are bit farther afield. What follows are some of my favorite spots for food and wine. It is not an exhaustive list, but rather a collection of places I enjoy and have been to many times. One of the things I have learned over the years is that knowing what to order where is critical. With that in mind, I have pointed out signature dishes where applicable.

The best time to enjoy white truffles is late November. By then most of the tourists are gone, while truffles are at their best and most plentiful, which means they are also often less expensive than they are earlier in the season. Don't be surprised if you see young children in any of these restaurants, even the most elegant. Of all the wine-producing regions I visit regularly, Italy is without question the most family oriented and kid friendly, which means parents don't have to sacrifice a great meal in order to be with their children, while the kids have an opportunity to be educated at the table.

Poached egg with white truffle, Guido Ristorante, Serralunga d'Alba

Lastly, as I have written before, wine storage continues to be an issue in Piedmont’s restaurants. This year I have added a list of restaurants where wine storage and/or service are poor. It is not an easy list to put together, because many, it not most, of these establishments offer good food and/or ambience. But the simple reality can’t be ignored. In knowingly serving flawed wines, these restaurants are saying that they do not respect or care about their customers. Readers should feel no hesitation in sending back bottles that have been damaged by heat. That is the only way Piedmont’s restaurateurs will get the message. As much as it pains me to say this, taken as a whole, Piedmont lags the world’s other elite wine producing regions by a significant margin when it comes to wine service, and in particular storage of fine wines.

Let me be clear: Piedmont exists because of one thing and one thing only: Wine. Without the wine industry there would be fewer jobs, fewer restaurants, much less wealth and no tourism to speak of except for a few weeks during the fall truffle season. When will Piedmont’s restaurateurs learn to take care of their most valuable and most profitable asset? Not all restaurants can have a gorgeous, temperature-controlled cellar. That is understandable. But how much does it cost to a buy a few refrigeration units? Will the average patron notice an extra euro or two per bottle to pay back that investment? Of course not. But Piedmontese restaurateurs largely do not see it that way. Suffice it to say I have been served cooked and/or damaged wine in virtually every restaurant in Piedmont, so it is very much caveat emptor.

Still, I don't think there is anywhere better to be in the fall than Piedmont. Barolo, Barbaresco and white truffles in a good year are as good as it gets. The cool, foggy weather and a good meal at one of Piedmont’s top spots will be more than enough to make visitors start planning a return trip. Things can get a bit hectic during the peak fall season, so reservations are essential.

Antica Corona Reale (Da Renzo)

Via Fossano, 13, 12040 Cervere - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0172 474132

Da Renzo’s signature Uova in Cocotte

Antica Corona Reale, known simply as Da Renzo, is a must during truffle season. Da Renzo is located in Cervere, which is a bit of a drive from the Barolo zone, but closest to La Morra. The food is terrific year round, but in the fall Renzo is the place to be. Proprietor Gian Piero Vivalda makes the single greatest truffle dish in Piedmont; the heart attack-inducing, poached egg in cocotte, essentially an egg poached in butter and cream, then topped with shaved truffles. If there is a dish visitors must experience at least once, this is it. Other great choices include the Tortelli al Seirass and the Châteaubriand for two. Wild leeks and snails, both local to Cervere, are not to be missed. I don’t go crazy for either frogs’ legs or tripe, but those who do swear by Da Renzo’s versions. Service is very good. The wine list is well chosen, but storage is inconsistent and the program overall remains the Achilles heel of this otherwise exceptional Piedmont benchmark. Last Visit: November 2012.

Trattoria Antica Torre

Via Torino 64, Barbaresco - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 173 635 170

Antica Torre’s mixed antipasto starter

Antica Torre is another of Piedmont’s reference points. Located just across the road from the Produttori del Barbaresco, Antica Torre is a hit with locals, winemakers and tourists alike. The food is simple, honest and presented with no makeup. Prices reflect the everyday, working class values of another era, which will thrill travelers on a budget. Antica Torre’s wine list is a bit Spartan and simple, but consistent with the setting. In the summer, the outdoor seating is a nice plus. Signature dishes include the antipasti (served either singly or as a sampler, the tajarin and the rabbit. Last Visit: August 2016.

Barolofriends Wine Bar

3 Piazza Castello, Barolo - Cuneo, Italy 12060; Tel. +39 0173 56 05 39; winebar@barolofriends.it

Tajarin with sausage ragù and pesto

Barolofriends, a newly opened wine bar in the center of town, is one of the most exciting additions to the eating and drinking scene in Piedmont. The brainchild of proprietor Paolo Annoni, Barolofriends is the perfect place to stop by for an informal meal or glass of wine. Chef Imer Pegoraro’s menu is rich in tradition, often done with a few twists. Pegoraro spent several years with Massimo Camia at Locanda del Borgo Antico, and it shows in dishes like the vitello tonnato, which is unusually refined for a restaurant of this level. The room is warm and inviting, while the food is delicious and reasonably priced, all of which makes it easy to return. That is exactly what we did this past summer. Both meals we had at Barolofriends were terrific. Best of all, the kitchen is open all day, from 11am to 10pm, unusually flexible by Italian standards. I prefer the simpler dishes here, including the tajarin (pictured below), vitello tonnato and carne cruda. Last Visit: August 2016.

Centro Storico

Via Roma 6, 12050 Serralunga d’Alba - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 613 203

Centro Storico’s Insalata Russa, a Piedmontese classic

No trip to Piedmont is complete without a meal (or two!) at Centro Storico. Proprietor Alessio Cighetti is larger than life, and so is a night out at this iconic winebar in Serralunga’s historic center. Cighetti’s wife, Stefania, runs the front of the house, while her mother takes care of the cooking. Centro Storico is distinguished by a wine list that will shock even the most seasoned of travelers for its depth, especially considering the otherwise no frills setting. Champagne is a strong suit, and my drink of choice here. Growers and grand marques are represented with equal breadth. The simple menu usually consists of three/four choices of appetizer, pasta, main and dessert, mostly leaning on the classics, and all impeccably prepared. Centro Storico is a favorite among locals, so don’t be surprised if you see one or more winemakers here on any given night. Paccheri with tomato sauce and eggplant Parmesan are a nice break from the more Piedmontese classics. I also like the insalata russa (pictured below), the salumi and the carne cruda. If homemade gelato is available (not usually on the menu) don’t miss it. Last Visit: September 2016.

La Ciau del Tornavento

Piazza Baracco, 7, Treiso - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 638 333

Roasted pigeon with vegetables

Chef/Proprietor Maurilio Garola is going through an especially brilliant period at La Ciau del Tornavento. This is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the Langhe, especially during the day or in the summer, when guests will be dazzled by the views. The cellar has always been jaw dropping, but the food now is better than ever. Several recent meals have all been superb. I prefer to stick with the classics, but La Ciau is one of the few restaurants in Piedmont where diners will find just as much pleasure in some of the more adventurous, creative choices that adorn the menu. Few people have done more to support local wineries than Garolo. The extensive cellar at La Ciau will leave visitors drooling. Let’s leave it at that. An extension to the cellar, which includes space to host visitors, was recently completed. Signature dishes include the fried hazelnut-crusted shrimp, tagliolini, Agnolotti del Plin, Plin di Seirass and anything with white truffles. My favorite main courses are the whole roasted meats. Lastly, I suggest avoiding La Ciau during weekends in truffle season, when the rush of hungry diners stretches the staff to the maximum. Last Visit: November 2015.

Il GrecAle

Via Giordano, 8, 12060 Novello CN, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 731193

Ferrazuoli with octopus, olives, pine nuts and dried tomatoes

Il GrecAle is a breath of fresh air. As good as the classic Piedmontese classics are, it’s nice to have a change of pace every now and then. Chef/Owner Alessandro Neri’s fish and seafood menu will transport readers to Liguria, or perhaps somewhere a bit more Mediterranean, with bold, lusty flavors and whimsical creations that exalt traditional coastal flavors. The wine list naturally leans heavily on whites, but there are plenty of red wines to choose from as well. A recent dinner at GrecAle was terrific. Highlights included the Sicilian tuna tartare, burrata ravioli and ferrazuoli with octopus. The food could be a bit more refined (for example the olive oil was a bit much on the ferrazuoli), but everything we tasted was delicious. Last visit: August 2016.

Guido da Costigliole

Relais San Maurizio, Località San Maurizio, 39, 12058 Santo Stefano Belbo, Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0141 841900

‘The’ Vitello Tonnato

Timeless, elegant and classic. That is what comes to mind when I think of Guido da Costigliole. Tucked away in the hills of Santo Stefano Belbo, in the picturesque Relais San Maurizio, Guido is one of the meccas of fine dining in Piedmont. Andrea Alciati and his partner Monica Magnini run Guido with palpable enthusiasm and passion. The Alciati family has been at the forefront of Piedmontese cuisine for several decades. Guido and Lidia Alciati, Andrea’s parents, opened the celebrated Da Guido in Costigliole in 1961, long before Piedmont and its wines were fashionable. Even back then Da Guido was one of the most famous restaurants in Piedmont. Guido Alciati was famous for taking huge positions in wines that would go on to become icons, like the Produttori del Barbaresco's 1970s Riservas and Luciano Sandrone’s first Barolos. Upon Guido Alciati’s passing his three sons went in different directions. Andrea settled in at the Relais, not too far from the original Da Guido, while brothers Ugo and Piero went on to open their version of Guido first at Pollenzo and now in the Fontanafredda complex in Serralunga.

Diners will find a menu built on lighter, modern-day interpretations of the classics, along with a few more inventive creations. The extensive wine list offers myriad choices of both local and international wines. Readers can bring their own wines for a modest corkage fee, which is rare in Piedmont. Even better, Guido will build tasting menus for diners who would like to supply their own truffles. Vitello tonnato, agnolotti, stuffed peppers and hazelnut-fed veal are all special. Last Visit: July 2014.

Guido Ristorante

Fontanafredda, 15 Via Alba, Serralunga d'Alba 12050; Tel. +39 0173 62 61 62

Roasted pepper stuffed with tuna and capers

Three recent dinners at Ristorante Guido have all been phenomenal. When the iconic original Guido in Costigliole closed, brothers Andrea, Piero and Ugo Alciati split up. Andrea went on to open Guido in the Relais San Maurizio, while Piero and Ugo moved their new home at the University in Pollenzo, where their food was good, but too often inconsistent. A few years ago Piero and Ugo Alciati decided to start fresh at Fontanafredda. Since then, they have been on a roll. Today, Guido Ristorante competes for the top spot in Piedmont, no easy feat, to say the least. The striking rooms at Villa Reale in the Fontanafredda complex create a feeling of timeless elegance. Updated takes on the classics and some of of Licia Alciati’s creations form the core of the menu. Guido’s winelist leans heavily on wines from Oscar Farinetti’s empire, but does so in a whimsical fashion that manages to avoid feeling overly commercial or heavy handed. For the total experience of food, ambience and service at the high end, Guido Ristorante is as good as it gets. Last Visit: August 2016.

Mangè

Via Roma, 3, 12064 La Morra – Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 339 5819189

Tagliolini with fresh porcini

Angelo and Maria Cristina Rinaudi have recently moved to La Morra from Castiglione Falletto, where they ran the highly successful and popular Le Torri for many years. Mangè is typical of the new breed of restaurants that have begun to spring up in Piedmont. The kitchen is open from late morning straight through dinner. Readers can expect a small menu with an emphasis on the classics and very reasonable prices. On Thursdays, Angelo’s father brings fresh seafood back from the market in Torino, which makes for a nice break from the meat-heavy dishes that are so typical in the Langhe. The wine list is pretty extensive for a small, informal restaurant. Mangè is perfect for a simple, informal meal, especially if keeping to a budget is a priority. Last Visit: July 2014.

Osteria dell’ Arco

Piazza Savona, 5, Alba - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 363974

I have been eating at the Osteria dell’ Arco for longer than I can remember. One of my favorites going back to the days when I had basically no money, Osteria dell’ Arco remains one of Alba’s stalwarts. Diners will find a menu heavy on the classics, and an excellent wine list in a simple, traditional setting. I always feel the service could be a little warmer, but that is a relatively small critique. Osteria dell’ Arco is a favorite among Alba’s working professionals, so reservations are absolutely essential, even for lunch. In my view, Osteria dell’ Arco captures the essence of what Italian restaurants do better than any other – offer affordable, everyday food made with uncompromisingly high quality standards at fair, working-class prices. It’s hard to go wrong with the classics here. Last visit: July 2014.

La Piola

Piazza Risorgimento, 4, Alba - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 442800

Red pepper agnolotti; tuna, anchovy sauce

The Ceretto family operates two restaurants in Alba, both in essentially the same space. Located on the ground level of a historic building in the old city center, La Piola specializes in mostly traditional dishes served in an informal setting. Piazza Duomo occupies the upstairs level and is the showcase for Enrico Crippa’s innovative, award winning cuisine.

The menu at La Piola is rich in the classics, but with some twists that are quite welcome for visitors who want a break from Piedmont’s typical fare. Ceretto wines are featured heavily, with the rest of the list coming from Ceretto’s retail online wine partner. While the strategy of this kind of vertical integration is appealing from a financial perspective, the reality is that the list at La Piola lacks imagination. Given the high quality of the food, La Piola would be far better off showcasing the best wines of the region, but that does not appear to be the aim. Regardless, diners can order from Piazza Duomo’s comprehensive wine list, which is what I suggest. Service on the day I visited was exceptional and welcoming, something that is not always the case in Piedmont. Agnolotti and fried zucchini flowers (when in season) are both delicious, while the various faro and soups make for a nice break from some of the region’s richer fare. Last visit: August 2016.

Relais del Sant’Uffizio

Strada Sant’ Uffizio, 1, 14030 Cioccaro di Penango, Asti - Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0141 916292

Agnolotti al Plin

A former monastery dating back to the days of Inquisition in the 1600s, the Relais del Sant’Uffizio is a gorgeous hotel and restaurant nestled in the rolling hills of Monferrato, just outside Asti, in the heart of Barbera country. The restaurant was excellent on the two recent visits, although the reality is that the overall quality of dining in Piedmont has exploded over the last 20 years, such that the food at Sant’Uffizio today is excellent, but has much more competition than it did years ago. The menu offers a combination of classics along with a handful of more creative dishes, all done with a modern, light touch. Visitors will find a small but well-chosen list with plenty of good options. Service is professional and attentive. The Locanda does both traditional and more modern dishes very well. Last Visit: July 2014.

Ristorante Bovio

Via Alba, 17 bis, La Morra – Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 590303

The carne cruda is there, somewhere beneath the truffles

A few years ago, the Bovio family sold the restaurant Belvedere up until then a local icon, and moved to their current location, just outside the La Morra town center. Ristorante Bovio is smaller and more intimate than the Belvedere, and that is just fine. The food is pretty similar to what it has always been, which is to say rich in the classics. The wine list is extensive, but I wish the wines were kept and served a little cooler. Service is warm, friendly and incredibly accommodating. In other words, what hospitality is all about. Two recent dinners were fabulous. Go with the classics. Last visit: November 2012.

Ristorante Il Centro

Via Umberto I, 5l 12040 Priocca – Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 616112

Slow-cook beef braised in Barolo

Il Centro, one of Piedmont’s timeless restaurants, is just as fabulous as it has always been. The classics are slightly revisited in cooking that is faithful to tradition but that also incorporates some twists. The crudo appetizer is perfect for a warm, muggy day. All of the pasta and meat dishes I tasted during my most recent visit were terrific. Il Centro has an extensive wine list, but my preference is still to stick with young wines. The Cordero family’s warmth and hospitality are those of a bygone era. Readers who want to visit an old guard reference-point should check out Il Centro. Signature dishes include insalata russa, various pastas and veal and beef main courses. Last visited: August 2016.

Trattoria La Coccinella

Via Provinciale A3, 5, 12050 Serravalle Langhe – Cuneo, Italy; Tel. +39 0173 748220

Seafood lasagna

La Coccinella will delight fans of classic, old-school Piemontese cooking. Located in Serravalle Langhe, this small, family-run restaurant is convenient to Serralunga and Monforte, but will require a bit of a longer drive from other parts of the Barolo zone. The ambiance is homey, warm and inviting. This is Piedmont comfort food at its best. Gems are sprinkled throughout the wine list. You aren’t likely to see too many tourists at this haunt mostly frequented by locals and those in the know. It’s hard to go wrong with the classics, but La Coccinella is also one of the few places to where fish and seafood are exquisite. The tuna and shrimp crudo and seafood lasagna are both superb. Last Visit: August 2016.

Disappointments

These restaurants get low marks for wine storage and/or wine service. All of them offer good or even outstanding cuisine, which makes their indifference towards wine and their customers all the more incomprehensible. Of course, it takes several years (if not longer) to move through inventory, so even if all of these restaurants upgraded their wine programs immediately they would all be sitting on many vintages of wines that have long been ruined.

Enoclub, Alba – Was it the cooked bottle of young Elio Grasso Barolo or the stack of magnums of 2007 Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia roasting at a hot room temperature that I found most dispiriting? I don’t remember.

All’Enoteca, Canale – There was a time when Davide Palluda was my favorite chef in Piedmont. I would literally get off the plane in Milan and drive straight down to the Enoteca for lunch. But too many cooked wines and a total lack of hospitality have kept me from going back.

Osteria del Vignaiolo, La Morra – The food can be quite good, but I have been served too many cooked wines, including a memorable (and not for the right reasons) bottle of Roberto Voerzio Barolo.

Piazza Duomo, Alba – My most recent dinner was the single worst dining experience I have had in twenty years of visiting Piedmont. Two cooked Barolos and one oxidized wine should have never been served in a serious restaurant of this level. But they were at Piazza Duomo. Enrico Crippa’s brilliant and innovative cuisine deserves better.

Trattoria della Posta, Monforte d’Alba – La Posta is one of the most striking dining rooms in all of Piedmont, but I have had far too many disappointments with wine, including recently released wines damaged by poor storage.

Lentil purée with a salad of grains, vegetables and legumes at La Piola, Alba

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