Piazza Baracco, 7
12050 Treiso Italy
Tel. +1 39 0173-638 333
May 2008
La Ciau del Tornavento is one of Piedmont’s most dramatic dining rooms. Set in the hills of Treiso, in the heart of the Barbaresco zone, La Ciau offers spectacular views of these gorgeous vineyards through large sliding glass doors which are left open when weather permits. The tables are spaced far apart, which adds to the feeling of calmness and serenity. La Ciau is famous for its extraordinary wine cellar, which is one of the most lovingly-cared for collections I have seen in Piedmont (the other is at Guido in the Relais San Maurizio). Chef/Owner Maurilio Garola is passionate about fine wines and it shows in the quality and quantity of the bottles he has assembled. Only a portion of the wines in the cellar are actually on the list at any given time. Readers who have the opportunity to take a tour through the cellar should not hesitate to do so.
Over the years La Ciau has acquired a reputation for somewhat inconsistent cuisine, but that is largely because it is located in Piedmont, where the competition is formidable, to say the least. Even the occasional uneven meals here I have had would far outpace the level of what is available in most Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, or New York for that matter. This dinner was by far the best meal I have ever had at La Ciau, so my hope is that the kitchen has addressed some of the issues of the past. La Ciau is a beautiful spot for a lunch or dinner, and I am only sorry that so much time had passed between visits.
La Ciau del Tornavento is one of Piedmont’s most dramatic dining rooms. Set in the hills of Treiso, in the heart of the Barbaresco zone, La Ciau offers spectacular views of these gorgeous vineyards through large sliding glass doors which are left open when weather permits. The tables are spaced far apart, which adds to the feeling of calmness and serenity.
