Ristorante Colle Melosa

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Located in a magical setting surrounded by the mountains and forest, the restaurant offers homemade traditional cuisine together with authentic ingredients and a warm welcome. The inn was re-opened in 2010 after having been closed for many years by Pierangelo Borfiga and his wife Laura, the third family generation to manage the historic “Locanda Colle Melosa”. A hike around these parts is always suggested in any season; the inn offers delicious dishes using local seasonal ingredients. During theme nights in the winter you can try their “bagna cauda nel fojòt” in its characteristic terracotta dish as well as the polenta and wild boar. You must try their ravioli with alpine herbs, the goat with beans and the lamb with artichokes. During the summer you should try the “gran pistou”, crushed grains with ham. You should also try their homemade desserts such as the bonet and apple cake. Wine from local producers such as Rossese or Ormeasco are available as well as wines from nearby Piemonte. There’s also the possibility of staying overnight but it’s best to book in advance. Tasting menu priced from 22 to 32 euro.

Ristorante Da Vittorio

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Always a good choice restaurant Da Vittorio in Val Tanaro on the road from Piemonte to Liguria. The reception is kind and professional. Chef Gianni Biga is in charge of looking for fresh local and seasonal products. His wife Marcella manages the B&B. The restaurant’s dining rooms are reminiscent of old osterias with an elegant touch. An open air space is available during the summer. Their tasting menu is priced at € 23 and includes one appetizer, a first course, one second course and dessert. An à la carte menu is also available. For starters you can try the deer bresaola with porcini or (if you’re lucky) ovuli mushrooms, rabbit tuna style, seasonal vegetable flan or the unbeatable vitel tonné. Among first courses we recommend the tagliatelle, which are called tajarin around these parts, with mushrooms and truffles or the ravioli with roasted meat sauce. You should also try their fried mushrooms, hazelnut crusted lamb ribs, Ormeasco di Pornassio pork fillet or snails. Their desserts are not to be missed, from the bunet al fernet to the chestnut torte with zabaglione. Their wine cellar has many interesting wines from Liguria and surrounding areas.

Trattoria in Ciassa da Francesca

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Walking in the narrow streets (carugi) of Albisola Superiore you will have the surprise to find this small restaurant, with a nice sign, where you can taste a simple and genuine Ligurian cuisine. Here you can taste, on Thursdays and Fridays, the delicious wheat-based pancake, served with cheese and olives and the chickpea-based pancake, combined with many ingredients, olives, onions, blue cheese and so on…The full menu for lunch time is offered at 10 euro, in the evening you may choose a la carte, with many fish dishes, such as the octopus salad or the devilled one, the special blueberry noodles with prawns, cod tortelli, the cut of tuna with artichokes. Not only fish, Francesca, helped by her mother, also prepares excellent ravioli with walnut pesto, borage noodles with pesto, all fresh homemade pasta. The desserts prepared by the chef are delights, such as the meringue or the apple pastry or the panna cotta. For a full dinner you spend between 20 and 30 euro. The intimate and bright dining room, the wooden furniture and the paintings by Dino Gambetta, Francesca’s uncle and painter very well known locally, make the atmosphere very comfortable. We recommend booking, especially at the weekend.

Le Piemontesine

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This restaurant is located inside a country house that has been elegantly refurbished, surrounded by the sweet rolling hills of Alta Langa. It was opened by an Italian-French couple Charlotte Launay, who welcomes the clients in a bright polished hall and her husband Jerome Migotto, who takes care of the cuisine. The gastronomic offer is based upon products of the territory, in accordance with the seasons and with their own cultivation of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Two menus are on offer, one called of the “discovery” with four courses at 35 euro, except for wine, and the other one called “tasting” with six courses created by the chef at 52 euro or at 70 euro with four glasses of wine. Attractive appetizers like crunchy Cherasco escargots or breaded frogs legs with cream of carrots and ginger; among the first course dishes the traditional plin agnolotti with the rabbit variant and gourmet risottos. Among second course dishes need to be tested the “Rossini” pigeon with crunchy polenta and the lamb crust with herbs. Special desserts created by the chef with seasonal fruits like harvest pears or the attractive Monte Bianco meringue cake, with always different sorbets. The list of wines has a broad range with attention dedicated to the best products of the Langhe and Roero. In the same structure is located a 4 stars hotel with 10 rooms to relax and be pampered.

Il Verso del Ghiottone

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Housed into a mansion from the end of the Eighteenth century that has been wisely refurbished, is located the restaurant “Il verso del ghiottone”. Born from the wish of four friends that wanted to offer a cuisine deeply rooted in the territory and traditions of Langa, however adding creative ideas. Gilberto Demaria ande Roberto Campogrande have been entrusted the preparation of recipes with seasonal products directly purchased from local farmers. Two are the available menus, one dedicated to the territory for € 39,00, except for beverages, with Fassone knife cut meat, cupcake with peppers and Jerusalem artichokes, thistles and anchovies, a first course dish that can be chosen among raviolini with plin, hand cut tajarin with three types of meats sauce, among the second course dishes Fassone sliced meat, pig’s cheeks and rabbit thigh, and a dessert of your choice. Then there is a second fish menu called “Galup” which proposes scallops and prawns followed by Cocco linguine with redfish and mussel, and salted codfish with cabbage, squash and ginger and dessert. Upon request attractive dishes like Japan Albese or confit goose chip, glazed Ivrea onions with figs, as well as interesting fish recommendations like shrimp neither raw nor cooked and fish caramelized at passion fruit. Bread and flat bead are homemade like the excellent cakes. Wide list of wines with a nice selection from small producers.

Trattoria Pane e Vino

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This tavern is located in the historic town centre, in a comfortable and elegant environment, with exposed brick surface. Wooden chairs and antique furniture, which immediately make the atmosphere homely. An hospitality that describes itself with the smile of Flavio Marengo, that in the lounge gives advice and accompanies people to discover the delicacies of the Langhe, that Emiliana Morino prepares with her great ability. Its cuisine is based upon zero Km. products of the territory following the rhythms of the seasons. The tastings menu is on offer at 40 euros except for wine, and at 55 euro with 4 glasses of wine, representing a real triumph of Langhe specialties, starting from the typical appetizers like veal with tuna sauce knife cut meat, Bra sausage, followed by the ever present tajarin ai 30 rossi and the delicious beef braised in Barolo; ending it all with the classical bunet from the Langhe. Wide is the selection of cheeses from local producers. Many are recipes containing escargots, that made of Cherasco the capital of heliciculture, and on the appropriate season a menu with mushrooms and Alba’s white truffle. The wine list is rich and well maintained, with wines not only from this area, however entrust with confidence to Flavio who will recommend you the best combination.

Ristorante Sarri

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A sensorial experience of a great level is proposed by the chef Andrea Sarri. The restaurant is located in the small fishing village just outside Imperia. The interior of the restaurant is furnished in modern and essential wood, but refined and welcoming. The presentation of the dishes is very accurate, the dining room service is assigned to his wife Alessandra, professional and courteous. The cuisine is based on local products, coming from the family vegetable garden and local fishermen, while the meat comes from Martini di Boves. It is recommended the menù “Let me stay” at 45 euros, where the chef will amaze you with particolar dishes. Wide choice also in the a la carte menu where, among the appetizers we mention the Oneglia shrimp sprinkled with passito wine, goose liver escalope, barley soup with shallot or the glossy mackerel with vermouth and roasted on red onions, grilled friggitelli and buffalo mozzarella. Among the first courses artisan spaghettini with juvenile fish, “trombette” courgettes and artisan tuna bottarga or the fish soup and Pigna beans with liquid potato raviolini. Among the second courses the shellfish of Oneglia flavoured with Vermentino and aromatic herbs or the fresh fish of the day with pesto, potatoes and green beans. Do not miss the desserts such as the mousse al chai latte, pistachio sponge, spice crumble and apricot sorbet. Refined and selected wine list.

Ristorante Babette

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Location of great beauty for Fabio Bonavia’s restaurant, chef of great experience, who since 2002 has opened his first restaurant in the old town of Albenga and about 6 years ago just on the beach, facing the island of Gallinara. The structure is large and very bright, both outside and inside where there are large dining rooms, elegant and well furnished, with large windows for having dinner overlooking the sea. The menu changes every season, the chef is served by local farmers and fishermen. From the menu we mention the anchovy chest marinated in Ligurian way with stuffed confit of red onion and the cloud of crunchy fennels among the appetizers (15 euro). We continue with the inviting black tagliatelle with cuttlefish sauce, clams and crunchy broccoletti (17 euro) or yellow saffron ravioli filled with fish and the artichoke sauce of Albenga (18 euro). Among the second courses, the grilled mixed fish and shellfish with the lemon emulsion, the parsley salmoriglio cups, capers and red onion confit (33 euro) or among the meats the Fassona tender cheek with cream potatoes flavoured with nutmeg and Nebbiolo sauce (19 euro). The desserts are inviting such as the tart filled with almonds and pears, salted caramel sauce and praline ice cream (9 euro). Two tasting menus for 43 euro and 48 euro. The wine list is broad, with interesting offers of local wines.

Da Rosina

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6 kms from Dego, in the village of Porri (in the Savonean inlands), you can find a well-established restaurant surrounded by woods perfect for a walk or a hike, especially after trying Gerardo’s cooking. Since 1980, Gerardo manages this tavern, where you can not only enjoy an exquisite cuisine, but also vacation, staying in one of his 10 guest rooms. The venue is unpretentious and welcoming, the front of house being characterised by a fireplace and wood furniture which put you at ease, together with the smiling and pleasant presence of Mrs. Giorgia. “Da Rosina” offers a traditional, domestic cuisine, result of a masterful mix of Ligurian and Piedmontese traditions. You can find fresh, homemade pastas, such as tagliatelle and tagliolini, as well as filled pastas such as ravioli and “pansotti”, with seasonal sauces. Among the second courses can be found braised and roasted meats, such as game meat, with a side of mushrooms and vegetables from the garden. The desserts are also homemade with seasonal ingredients; they will not disappoint, and will be an enjoyable last course. The staff is very polite and the value for money is excellent: the average price is 30 Euros per person, including a good homemade wine, or a typical Piedmontese wine such as Dolcetto or Barbera.

Ristorante Albergo Badellino

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Located in the center of Bra, wine and culinary center and birthplace of the Slow Food movement, this restaurant owned by Giacomo Badellino and his wife Marilena offers authentic Langarola cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere with tastefully decorated dining rooms. A family tradition which goes back four generations and which guarantees clients quality local and seasonal products. The starters alone are worth the trip, they are prepared with care and include the typical Piedmontese appetizers: peppers with bagna cauda, vitel tonné, Russian salad, meat tartare, anchovies with parsley and garlic and the rabbit salad which are all delicious. Among first courses we recommend the tajarin, the plin agnolotti and the Castelmagno potato gnocchi. From their second courses you should try the meat braised in Barbera wine, the lamb and and the trout. There’s a wide selection of cheeses including Bra (DOP) from which the city takes its name as it was the largest cheese market among the Cuneo valleys. For dessert we recommend the stuffed peaches and the bunet. Wines are selected from the best producers of the Langhe and Roero suggested by Giacomo. Very good prices (approximately 30/40 euro) and kind service.