Le Teste di Rapa

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In the historic center, a restaurant with an unusual name, bright and welcoming, decorated in shabby style. The cuisine is sincere and creative, with dishes prepared with care and served with grace and kindness. The team is entirely female. The menù changes monthly according to the seasons. Between tradition and creativity, the antipasti include, alongside Piedmontese classics such as vitello tonnato, insalata russa, and battuta di Fassone, a porcini flan with pepper sauce and an egg pochè with teriyaki sauce (€10–17). Among the primi: passatello romagnolo with squid, pumpkin risotto with gorgonzola cream and hazelnuts, and the ever-present traditional agnolotti del plin with sugo d’arrosto (€12–14). For the secondi: tasty rack of lamb, tagliata with house sauce (a surprise!), and roasted octopus with purple cauliflower cream. Worth trying is the “Tutti d’accordo” Piedmontese sushi selection, made in Asti, with 24 mixed maki rolls paired with carne cruda di Fassone and local flavors (€30). Desserts include torta soffice with chocolate and hazelnut, panna cotta with caramel, and the timeless bonet (€6–7). The wine list is carefully curated, with local selections.

Locanda Roma

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At the beginning of the town centre is this restaurant with cosy rooms and large windows overlooking the surrounding hills. The business has been run by the Salis family for many years, under the direction of mother Lina, an expert cook, and her three children, Massimo, the chef, and Lorenzo and Loredana, who take care of the dining room. The first courses are unmissable, both the tajarin with meat sauce and the agnolotti del plin with roast sauce or, if you wish, with butter and lavender, served in a characteristic glass ‘Burnia’. Among the main courses, another typical dish is the
Piedmontese fritto misto, both savoury and sweet, not to be missed. Also roast pork or veal, and boiled meats, always tasty and inviting thanks to the superior quality of the meat from local farms. Desserts are also a must, in addition to the classic bonet, hazelnut cake, meringue, very tempting mini-parfaits are served in various flavours, pistachio, hazelnut, strawberry, cream, to end lunch or dinner on a sweet note. The tasting menu costs 40 Euro.

Antica locanda Il Duca Bianco

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The restaurant is located inside an elegant building near the center of the town. Inside it is bright and spacious with modern decorand in the summer you can have lunch in the small garden  outside or in the nicely shaded terrace. The quality of chef Vito’s cuisine is guaranteed because of the products he uses as well as his ability in preparing traditional Piedmontese dishes with a touch of creativity. The appetizers alone are worth your while: you can have the “vitello tonnato” prepared according to the original Langarola recipe, tongue in green sauce or the peppers with “bagna cauda”. The first courses are delicious from the donkey meat ravioli to the typical plin agnolotti as well as the cheese gnocchi with truffles and the tajarin with wild boar ragout. The desserts are great as well including the “bunet della nonna” and the hazelnut cake with English cream. You’ll surely feel welcomed by the kind and smiling staff. Suitable prices, around 40 euro for an entire meal.

Il Bagatto

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“Il Bagatto” is located on the “tamburello” square inside a gorgeous building with exposed bricks, a wide welcoming dining room and a fireplace. The restaurant’s cuisine has been passed on for generations and it offers authentic traditional dishes. Among their appetizers you’ll find the “vitello tonnato”, peppers in “bagna cauda”, chicken in pickled sauce, cold cuts from Monferrato and Piedmontese Toma cheese. Among their first courses (which are all homemade), you’ll find the “agnolotti” and “tagliatelle” followed by the mixed boiled meats, suckling pig fillet, game and, if you
book in advance, Piedmontese mixed fried fish. From their desserts we recommend their “bonet”, artisanal gelatos and their bavarian creams. We’re in truffle territory and here is where they can be tasted best. Two tasting menus are available, one for 35 euro which includes 2 mixed appetizers, two first courses to sample, a second course of your choice with 1 side, a variety of desserts and coffee and a second one for 20 euro, which includes a vegetarian option, with a first or second course of your choice, 1 dessert and 1 coffee. Wide selection of local wines and if you don’t finish your wine bottle you can take it home with you.