My wife and I returned to Piemonte for nine days late last month. While the visit was marred by some health issues, we managed to make all nine of our dinner/lunch reservations, mostly returning to the restaurants that we have loved over dozens of trips to the region. New this trip were meals at Agnulot in Verduno and I Rebbi just outside of Monforte d’Alba. Both were solid; we certainly will return to each. Two of our stalwarts , I Bologna (Rochetta Tanaro) and Trattoria della Posta (Monforte d’Alba) were disappointing. Both had significantly reduced the scope of their menus and on the whole, their food was mediocre. We had excellent dinners at Osteria Veglio (Annunziata); Pane e Vino (Cherasco); Trattoria Coccinella (Serravalle Langhe) and La Torre (Cherasco). And our lunch at Repubblica di Perno (Perno) never really left the gate, as the whole clientele was forced, mid service, to move their cars because of local construction.
While all the restaurants we attended were busy, we were told by several of the owners that they were struggling to find personnel, especially in the kitchen. Hopefully these challenges will pass.
Best dishes: Tagliarin with a wild boar ragu at La Torre; baked, stuffed onion at Pane e Vino; vitello tonnato at La Torre; tuna stuffed pepper at Veglio; tagliatelle with venison ragu at Veglio; risotto al barolo at I Rebbi.
Best wines: Elio Grasso Barolo, Gavarini Chinestra 2011 at Veglio; Prunotto Barbera d’Alba Pian Romualdo 2020 at Trattoria della Posta.
