<a target="_blank" href="http://www.barolofriends.it/">Barolofriends
Wine Bar</a>

3
Piazza Castello

Barolo
(CN) Italy 12060

+39
0173 56 05 39 

<a target="_blank">winebar@barolofriends.it</a>

&nbsp;

Food:

Vitello tonnato

Ravioli del Plin, butter
and sage

Tajarin with sausage ragù and
pesto

Hazelnut cake with zabaglione

Wine

<table>
 <tbody><tr>
 <td>
 2010 &nbsp;Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
 Brunate &nbsp;&nbsp;
 </td>
 <td>
 99
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>
 2010 &nbsp;Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
 Tre Tine
 </td>
 <td>
 97
 </td>
 </tr>
</tbody></table>

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. 

<img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1411788117652-VitelloTonnato.jpg"> Vitello tonnato

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.&nbsp;Both meals we had at Barolofriends during Vinous's first offsite&nbsp;were terrific. Best of
all, the kitchen is open all day, from 11am to 10pm, unusually flexible by
Italian standards.<img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1411788105105-Tagliolini.jpg"> 

Tajarin with sausage ragù and pesto

The vitello tonnato is absolutely delicious. There is poetry in
executing the classics perfectly. Although we are in a casual restaurant, this vitello
tonnato could be served anywhere. It is that good. Giuseppe Rinaldi’s 2010 Barolo Brunate is utterly mind
blowing from the moment it is served. Violet, lavender, black cherry and a host
of balsamic-inflected notes rise out of the glass as this towering, majestic Barolo
shows off its personality. Constantly changing in the glass, the 2010 delivers
pure sensory pleasure to the maximum. Although I very much enjoy tasting wine
for a living, some wines are meant to be drunk. This is one of them. What a
great showing.&nbsp;

<img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1411788092125-Rinaldi2010sCover.jpg"> 

The tajarin with sausage
ragù is served atop a spoonful of pesto, an unusual combination that works
brilliantly. What to drink next? A bottle of Rinaldi’s 2010 Barolo Tre Tine proves irresistible. Much more tannic and
austere than the Brunate, the Tre Tine boasts laser-like intensity, searing
tannin and phenomenal overall balance. This is a classic Barolo in every sense.
The Tre Tine is a blend of three sites; Cannubi/San Lorenzo, Ravera and Le
Coste; all in Barolo. In many ways, the Tre Tine is the archetype of Barolo
from the village of Barolo. Magnificent. A slice of hazelnut cake with zabaglione followed by a
double espresso is a great way to finish lunch. <img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1411788082118-Cake.jpg"> 

Hazelnut cake with zabaglione

Readers visiting Piedmont
will want to check out Barolofriends, where the food, wine and service are all
top-notch, especially compared to other local restaurants in the same price
range.

-- Antonio Galloni

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