Archive for category: Cuneo

We are at the doors of The Langhe, on the left bank of the Tanaro river. The Venaria was originally an inn for the hunters, it became Royal in the XVIII century for noble acquaintances. Here Napoleon lived in 1796 during the armistice of Cherasco, and Narzole was invested by him for the traditional November Fair so “The Royal Venaria” became a reference point for staying in and taking refreshment, and it is even now with rooms at fair prices (60 – 80 euro). The annexe restaurant has taken the name of the owner, that with the help of his son Luca, has been running it for over 40 years, keeping alive the origins. Here you can taste the true Piedmontese cuisine, such as the window displayed traditional appetizers, and the fassone meat tartare, veal in tuna sauce, Russian salad, Bra sausage, salted tongue, liver patè, cotechino with fondue and so on…, with truffles throughout the year, white or black depending on the season. Among the first courses you can choose: ravioli with butter and sage or with meat sauce, risotto with fondue, Langarola noodles with mushrooms and vegetables soups. Among the second courses: the inevitable hazelnut roast, pot roast, fondue with truffles. Among the classic desserts: the panna cotta, bunuet and peaches with amaretto. Wines are chiefly Piedmontese reds of the producers of the near Langhe. For a whole meal, without quantity limits, you will pay not more than 30 euro excluding wines (except during the white truffle season when the price will be determined by the market).

This spot has become an institution, it was established in 1887 and has always been family owned and since 1982 it has been in the hands of the Cravero family. The owner Beppe, great talker and chef together with Mrs. Lidia, kind and pleasant in the dining room and their son Marco who is a sommelier; thanks to him the restaurant has a very wide selection of wines. The trattoria is warm and welcoming and it is located inside a typical country home, with four dining rooms which have been decorated with antique family furniture and a wine cellar “la crota dl’amicissia” where up to 10 people can dine; there’s also a new space on the upper floor and during the summer people can have lunch in the small terrace. For starters we recommend the classic mixed Piedmontese appetizers, among which you’ll find meat tartare and Russian salad. Among first courses you’ll find the ravioli rice and cabbage and the tajarin with sauce. The star of the show are the mixed boiled meats, this trattoria is the perfect place to try this dish with the right number of meats and typical sauces (7 cuts of meat and 7 sauces.) If you’d like to try other specialties we recommend the batsua (breaded and fried pig’s feet) or the finanziera. Good selection of desserts, from the bonet, hazelnut cake and pears cooked in wine. Tasting menu priced at € 37, during week priced at € 35.

In Valle Stura, an area rich with typical products and mountain cuisine, you’ll find a simple and inviting family owned restaurant. The managers’ 30 year experiences guarantees a pleasant experience with good cuisine. Mauro and Manuel work in the kitchen helped by their grandmother, and they offer traditional dishes in which the mushroom is the star of the show. It is picked during the various seasons and it is part of many menus prepared for mushroom lovers. Olga works the dining room and is very welcoming. There are two mushroom menus available: one for € 32 which includes 5 appetizers, two first courses,1 second course with a side dish of fried mushrooms and three desserts and another one for € 28 with 4 appetizers, 2 first courses (agnolotti and tagliolini), 1 second course with mushrooms cooked in parsley, garlic and olive oil, three desserts and coffee. There’s also a third menu available for € 33 which includes 5 appetizers, two first courses, two seconds, cheeses and dessert, with coffee and wine included. They also have dishes prepared with local ingredients available such as the Sambuca lamb with trout from the Stura river, wild game, local cheeses and honey and vegetables and fruit grown in the area. Good homemade desserts for a sweet ending and a wide selection of local wines.

A farmhouse surrounded by the countryside, a careful renovation that has created a comfortable atmosphere both in the internal rooms, in the upper floor rooms, and in the outdoor space with exposed bricks. The restaurant is dedicated to Maestro Castilin, Fulvio’s father and Chiara and Fausto’s grandfather, who in addition to his work as a primary school teacher dedicated himself with passion to the vineyard and the countryside. Cooking is assigned to the chef Alberto Paglieri, who offers traditional dishes, but with some creative ideas, with the products of local farmers, the meat of the breeder friend, and the shepherds’ cheeses of the near mountains. Into season mushrooms and truffles are always present. Often musical moments are proposed, even if the entertainment is guaranteed by Fulvio, who plays the guitar and sings cheerful Piedmontese songs. It is present the tasting menu at 30 euro and the choice à la carte, among which we include among the appetizers the Fassone meat tartare, rabbit tuna, pochè egg with fondue, the puff pastry of potatoes and mushrooms. Do not miss the noodles with sausage meat sauce and seasonal risottos, among the second courses an exquisite veal cheek and braised flavored with Nebbiolo. Excellent tasting of cheeses paired with jams and honey. Delicious even the desserts, all homemade, good choice of wines, especially the local ones.

The Osteria is located inside the wine cellar where the Ascheri family has been producing its wines since 1880. The atmosphere is charming, there are barrels and bricks in clear view and the restaurant is divided in small rooms with thick wooden tables and old machines such as an old slicer which still works. During the summer you can seat outside in the veranda under a vine pergola. The menu changes weekly and it’s written on a blackboard just as it was done once in small town osterias. Their cuisine is traditional with some creative touches. Among appetizers you’ll find the famous Bra sausage and the unusual curry and cheese Bavarese with “cognà” sauce which is made with grapes and Russet apples from the Langhe, among first courses you’ll find the Castelmagno gnocchi, the tajarin and risottos which are very enticing especially the one prepared with pumpkin and Bra sausage. Among the second courses you should try the red tripe stew with leeks and celery and the pork shank braised in beer. Great desserts ranging from the Pope’s salami (chocolate salami) to the classic Martini pears cooked in red wine. Wide selection of wines which are available also by the glass. Prices range from € 30 to € 40 excluding wines.