ALBA and vicinity: Restaurants/Trattorie and Food Shopping
Feb 23rd, 2009, 04:32 AM
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ALBA and vicinity: Restaurants/Trattorie and Food Shopping
I will be in Alba in April and in preparation for my trip I am seeking advice on where to eat and where to shop for local food products. So please post your recommendations, with emphasis on trattorie and osterie rather than Michelin-starred restaurants (although we will not rule anything out, we want to concentrate mostly on traditional renditions of local fare)
In Alba, I have these on my tentative list; please comment:
LA PIOLA http://www.piazzaduomoalba.it/pagine...rritorio.lasso
LA LIBERA http://www.lalibera.com/
ENOCLUB
VIGIN MUDEST
In the region:
I BOLOGNA in Rochetta Tanaro http://www.trattoriaibologna.it/chisiamo.php
CA DEL RE at Castello di Verduno http://www.castellodiverduno.com/ita/ristorazione.asp
LA LUNA NEL POZZO in Neive http://www.lalunanelpozzo-neive.it/ristorante.htm
(This may be too modern/creative for us on this first trip).
LA ROSA ROSSA in Cherasco
Food shopping:
CASCINA CORNALE outside Alba
http://cooperativa.cascinacornale.it...1&IDSito=0
ALLE DISPENSA DELCONVENTO, Alba
Please add your comments! Thanks!
In Alba, I have these on my tentative list; please comment:
LA PIOLA http://www.piazzaduomoalba.it/pagine...rritorio.lasso
LA LIBERA http://www.lalibera.com/
ENOCLUB
VIGIN MUDEST
In the region:
I BOLOGNA in Rochetta Tanaro http://www.trattoriaibologna.it/chisiamo.php
CA DEL RE at Castello di Verduno http://www.castellodiverduno.com/ita/ristorazione.asp
LA LUNA NEL POZZO in Neive http://www.lalunanelpozzo-neive.it/ristorante.htm
(This may be too modern/creative for us on this first trip).
LA ROSA ROSSA in Cherasco
Food shopping:
CASCINA CORNALE outside Alba
http://cooperativa.cascinacornale.it...1&IDSito=0
ALLE DISPENSA DELCONVENTO, Alba
Please add your comments! Thanks!
Feb 23rd, 2009, 06:39 AM
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And two more in Cherasco, where the local specialty is snails:
http://www.ostosanmartin.it/Osto/Benvenuto.html
http://www.trattoriapaneevino.com/
http://www.ostosanmartin.it/Osto/Benvenuto.html
http://www.trattoriapaneevino.com/
Feb 24th, 2009, 04:57 AM
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My file is just getting started and in some disarray but from somewhere unknown I have a reference to osteriadellarco.it, and to bars Cignette, and Golosi di Satute.
Have you taken a look at Montforte d'Alba? It has a couple of nice looking B&Bs that have attracted me--villabeccaris.it and saracca.com
Must get going on my research.
Have you taken a look at Montforte d'Alba? It has a couple of nice looking B&Bs that have attracted me--villabeccaris.it and saracca.com
Must get going on my research.
Feb 25th, 2009, 07:18 AM
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Julie: I debated endlessly and eventually chose La Favorita outside Alba. I hope we will be okay with getting into Alba at night.
http://www.villalafavorita.it/
But there are SO many great-looking places that it was very difficult to decide. Take a look at Cardinal Mazzarino in Cherasco, too. I ruled out Saracca because they do not serve breakfast..
Also, I met a Milanese woman recently who was absolutely gushing about this place:
http://www.riondino.it/eng/intro/agriturismo.html
This was also high on my list:
http://www.castellodiverduno.com/eng/cadelre.asp
http://www.villalafavorita.it/
But there are SO many great-looking places that it was very difficult to decide. Take a look at Cardinal Mazzarino in Cherasco, too. I ruled out Saracca because they do not serve breakfast..
Also, I met a Milanese woman recently who was absolutely gushing about this place:
http://www.riondino.it/eng/intro/agriturismo.html
This was also high on my list:
http://www.castellodiverduno.com/eng/cadelre.asp
Feb 25th, 2009, 07:20 AM
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Feb 25th, 2009, 12:08 PM
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Dear ekscrunchy--
Compiling my own list as we will be there in October for the truffle fair and Palio degli Asini. Also staying at Villa Favorita and my experience so far communicating with owner Roberta has been very good.
Check out the restaurant recommendations compiled by Mario Batali (most of the notes are my own, compiled from various sources):
La Bottega Del Vicoletto, Via Bertero 6, Alba
Closed Sunday evening and Monday, €40 for menù degustazione
Nice, family-run restaurant with excellent quality food and good choice of wines. Only 7 tables.
La Libera, via Pertinace 24/a, Alba
Closed Sunday and Monday midday, 37€/51€, country cuisine
Stylish osteria in the center of town. The marble floors, blonde contemporary furnishings, and pale green walls provide a restful environment in which to enjoy the variations on traditional cuisine that the kitchen prepares. Big selection of cheeses and wines. An antipasto misto is a nice way to sample the daily specialties-- vitello tomato, fiori di zucca (zucchini flowers stuffed with a trout mousse), or another truffle season specialty, the raviolone (one giant ricotta- and spinach-filled ravioli cupped around an egg yolk and showered with parmigiano and truffle shavings). Among the local specialities: tajarin with rabbit and basil cream, wholewheat maltagliati in leek sauce, stinco di vitello (knuckle of veal) in Barbaresco, and torrone mousse.
Porta San Martino, via Luigi Einaudi, 5, Alba
Closed: Mondays
Run with evident passion by generations of the Asola family, the ancient Porta San Martino serves a refined, Albanese version of traditional Langhe cuisine. An economical menù degustazione (sampling menu) is available; however, this must be booked in advance. It offers a large selection of local Piedmontese wines to accompany the food.
Osteria dell’Arco (Slow Food), piazza Savona 5, Alba
Closed Sunday and Monday (except October-November), 20€/34€ - Menu: 29€/37€
Regional cuisine; Rustic informal establishment right in the town centre facing an internal courtyard; originally a wine bar, now it offers a regional cuisine, with imaginative variations. Carne cruda all'albese battuta al coltello, vitello tonnato, tajarin, agnolotti, brasato, snails, gnocchi, guinea hen with rosemary, local cheeses, panna cotta.
Locanda nel Borgo Antico località Boschetti 4, Barolo
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays all day;closed only Wednesdays from October to November, 58€/70€ - Menu: 45€/65€
Characteristic regional and creative cuisine. Sophisticated and elegant space, the simplicity of the dining room is wholly dedicated to the view of the hilly landscape. Langarolo cuisine with some imaginative inventions. Risotto al petto di piccione and tortino di nocciole.
San Marco, Via Alba, 136, Canelli
Closed Tuesday evenings and Wednesdays
This restaurant, run by a husband and wife team, faithfully represents the spirit of the region with its traditional Asti dishes. He provides soft-spoken hospitality in the dining room; she has creative command of the kitchen. Tajarin with rabbit sauce, agnolotti, ovule mushroom salads, finanziera nobile all’Astigiana.
Also heard good things about
Osteria del Vignaiolo (2 forks, Bib Gourmand in Michelin), frazione Santa Maria (Santa Maria is a little village along the way of the La Morra to Alba road, about halfway up the hill)
and
Trattoria della Posta, Localita Santa Anna, 87, Monforte d’Alba
The restaurant I had picked for Neive is
La Contea (2 forks in Michelin), 8 Piazza Cocito
Always open, €45-60 (a choice of two menu degustazione)
The restaurant, one of Italy's finest, occupies two rooms of a patrician 18th-century house in the delightful little walled town of Neive, which itself deserves a visit. Reservations only. Abundant use of fresh local vegetables from the owner’s own garden. Excellent selection of many hard-to-find local cheeses. Very large wine list with the best of Piedmont.
Roberta can arrange for a cooking lesson if you're into that sort of thing. We will be taking a lesson from Rita who will be teaching us to make the local agnolotti dal plin.
I have recommendations for 2 stores in Alba:
I Piaceri del Gusto
This wine store's deep selection of books (in many languages) on Piedmontese wine and food complements a cellar of excellent, hard-to-find bottles.
25 Via Vittorio Emanuele II, Alba
Tartufi Ponzio
This shoebox-sized shop has an extensive selection of outstanding sauces, vinegars, and oils, many of which are made with the shop's winter stock-in-trade—white truffles.
26 Via Vittorio Emanuele II, Alba
I will be looking forward to your trip report when you return!!
drbb
Compiling my own list as we will be there in October for the truffle fair and Palio degli Asini. Also staying at Villa Favorita and my experience so far communicating with owner Roberta has been very good.
Check out the restaurant recommendations compiled by Mario Batali (most of the notes are my own, compiled from various sources):
La Bottega Del Vicoletto, Via Bertero 6, Alba
Closed Sunday evening and Monday, €40 for menù degustazione
Nice, family-run restaurant with excellent quality food and good choice of wines. Only 7 tables.
La Libera, via Pertinace 24/a, Alba
Closed Sunday and Monday midday, 37€/51€, country cuisine
Stylish osteria in the center of town. The marble floors, blonde contemporary furnishings, and pale green walls provide a restful environment in which to enjoy the variations on traditional cuisine that the kitchen prepares. Big selection of cheeses and wines. An antipasto misto is a nice way to sample the daily specialties-- vitello tomato, fiori di zucca (zucchini flowers stuffed with a trout mousse), or another truffle season specialty, the raviolone (one giant ricotta- and spinach-filled ravioli cupped around an egg yolk and showered with parmigiano and truffle shavings). Among the local specialities: tajarin with rabbit and basil cream, wholewheat maltagliati in leek sauce, stinco di vitello (knuckle of veal) in Barbaresco, and torrone mousse.
Porta San Martino, via Luigi Einaudi, 5, Alba
Closed: Mondays
Run with evident passion by generations of the Asola family, the ancient Porta San Martino serves a refined, Albanese version of traditional Langhe cuisine. An economical menù degustazione (sampling menu) is available; however, this must be booked in advance. It offers a large selection of local Piedmontese wines to accompany the food.
Osteria dell’Arco (Slow Food), piazza Savona 5, Alba
Closed Sunday and Monday (except October-November), 20€/34€ - Menu: 29€/37€
Regional cuisine; Rustic informal establishment right in the town centre facing an internal courtyard; originally a wine bar, now it offers a regional cuisine, with imaginative variations. Carne cruda all'albese battuta al coltello, vitello tonnato, tajarin, agnolotti, brasato, snails, gnocchi, guinea hen with rosemary, local cheeses, panna cotta.
Locanda nel Borgo Antico località Boschetti 4, Barolo
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays all day;closed only Wednesdays from October to November, 58€/70€ - Menu: 45€/65€
Characteristic regional and creative cuisine. Sophisticated and elegant space, the simplicity of the dining room is wholly dedicated to the view of the hilly landscape. Langarolo cuisine with some imaginative inventions. Risotto al petto di piccione and tortino di nocciole.
San Marco, Via Alba, 136, Canelli
Closed Tuesday evenings and Wednesdays
This restaurant, run by a husband and wife team, faithfully represents the spirit of the region with its traditional Asti dishes. He provides soft-spoken hospitality in the dining room; she has creative command of the kitchen. Tajarin with rabbit sauce, agnolotti, ovule mushroom salads, finanziera nobile all’Astigiana.
Also heard good things about
Osteria del Vignaiolo (2 forks, Bib Gourmand in Michelin), frazione Santa Maria (Santa Maria is a little village along the way of the La Morra to Alba road, about halfway up the hill)
and
Trattoria della Posta, Localita Santa Anna, 87, Monforte d’Alba
The restaurant I had picked for Neive is
La Contea (2 forks in Michelin), 8 Piazza Cocito
Always open, €45-60 (a choice of two menu degustazione)
The restaurant, one of Italy's finest, occupies two rooms of a patrician 18th-century house in the delightful little walled town of Neive, which itself deserves a visit. Reservations only. Abundant use of fresh local vegetables from the owner’s own garden. Excellent selection of many hard-to-find local cheeses. Very large wine list with the best of Piedmont.
Roberta can arrange for a cooking lesson if you're into that sort of thing. We will be taking a lesson from Rita who will be teaching us to make the local agnolotti dal plin.
I have recommendations for 2 stores in Alba:
I Piaceri del Gusto
This wine store's deep selection of books (in many languages) on Piedmontese wine and food complements a cellar of excellent, hard-to-find bottles.
25 Via Vittorio Emanuele II, Alba
Tartufi Ponzio
This shoebox-sized shop has an extensive selection of outstanding sauces, vinegars, and oils, many of which are made with the shop's winter stock-in-trade—white truffles.
26 Via Vittorio Emanuele II, Alba
I will be looking forward to your trip report when you return!!
drbb
Feb 25th, 2009, 12:36 PM
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Stupenda!!! Many thanks!
Do you mind my asking what kinds of things you are arranging with Roberta? I have not yet communicated with her and am wondering if there are some reservations I should be making in advance of arrival.... Closer to the departure date I will write an ask her about restaurant reservations, but is there any thing else I should be thinking about, apart from wineries and th cooking lessons?? The agnolotti lesson sounds wonderful, by the way! (I've never made my own pasta but if I am going to learn, this might be the time!)
I do have two gelato recommendations in Alba and will post these if you are interested.
I am getting very excited!
Do you mind my asking what kinds of things you are arranging with Roberta? I have not yet communicated with her and am wondering if there are some reservations I should be making in advance of arrival.... Closer to the departure date I will write an ask her about restaurant reservations, but is there any thing else I should be thinking about, apart from wineries and th cooking lessons?? The agnolotti lesson sounds wonderful, by the way! (I've never made my own pasta but if I am going to learn, this might be the time!)
I do have two gelato recommendations in Alba and will post these if you are interested.
I am getting very excited!
Feb 26th, 2009, 09:51 AM
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Roberta also arranged for a truffle hunt which of course is unique to October.
She sent me some guides that she is working on for her guests - still incomplete - including a local restauranrt list and day trip info. She is really very helpful if you have any questions. She answers her email quickly.
Some other things to look at which I found helpful-
http://www.enotecheregionalipiemonte.it/
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...mie-langhe.htm
http://www.epicurean-traveler.com/ar..._Piemonte.html
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...sme-langhe.htm
I have made up a list of some of the wineries we want to visit (Sandrone, Fontanafredda,Pio Cesare, Gaja, Marcarini, Rivetto, Ceretto, etc) but I'm really excited about visiting the regional enoteca (first link above) which showcase multiple producers.
We are staying at Villa Favorita the entire time (9 nights) and doing day trips to the nearby towns.
Yes please post the names of the gelato recommendations!
Thanks!
She sent me some guides that she is working on for her guests - still incomplete - including a local restauranrt list and day trip info. She is really very helpful if you have any questions. She answers her email quickly.
Some other things to look at which I found helpful-
http://www.enotecheregionalipiemonte.it/
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...mie-langhe.htm
http://www.epicurean-traveler.com/ar..._Piemonte.html
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...sme-langhe.htm
I have made up a list of some of the wineries we want to visit (Sandrone, Fontanafredda,Pio Cesare, Gaja, Marcarini, Rivetto, Ceretto, etc) but I'm really excited about visiting the regional enoteca (first link above) which showcase multiple producers.
We are staying at Villa Favorita the entire time (9 nights) and doing day trips to the nearby towns.
Yes please post the names of the gelato recommendations!
Thanks!
Mar 1st, 2009, 05:33 AM
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Eks, would you please complete your profile and add a picture. I think we might have gotten a glimpse of you with pix from your daughter's wedding (right? or am I confusing you with someone else?) but it would be nice to put your face with your name after so many posts.
