Thanks to the folks at Donato in RWC for introducing me to Davide Palluda and his wonderful cuisine…read moreof All'Enoteca. In conjunction with the Cascina Ca'Rossa winery we had a great multi course meal showcasing the Piedmont region of Italy. Palluda's inspiration is from "peasant cuisine" but he makes it contemporary with his modern touch. He's also an avid gardener to get the very best of ingredients, he tries to achieve them by growing them himself, with Michel Bras as an inspiration. And to the cuisine and wine: -Aparagi, formaggio fresco di capra, nocciole e tartufo nero asparagus, Roccaverano goat cheese, hazelnut, black truffle Arneis Merica 2009 -Il vitelo tonnato classico Piemontese veal with capers and tonnato sauce Langhe Nebbiolo 2008 -L'uovo in pasta, ricotta e schiuma al burro Egg ravioli with organic butter foam Barbera Mulassa 2007 -Costata de vitellone, midollo, tatin di cipolla e pinoli Roasted veal rib eye, marrow, and sweet onion tarte with pine nuts Roero Audinaggio 2008 & Mopissano 2007 -Dessert al latte fresco e cremino Birbet 2010

We read about the sister restaurant with a Michelin star (All' enoteca) and wanted to come for a…read moremore casual lunch at Osteria dell Enoteca. It was largely empty at 12:30pm but filled up by 1:30pm. Definitely make a reservation. The menu is more casual, with most things at €8-13, desserts for €7 each. They start you with olives, grissini, and bread with olive oil. Wines by the glass are €4-7 each. Water and bread is €2. Food: - Peperoni al forno: cold roasted peppers with anchovy sauce. We had seen this on multiple menus and got it out of curiosity. It wasn't bad, but I kind of wish I had gotten a gnocchi instead (pastas are only €9 each!) - Cipolla: a baked onion with cheese inside - great for dipping bread - Ravioli with zucca and toma: super sweet filling of pumpkin for the fall - Plin al suggo d'arrosto: very meaty in a light butter sauce Everything was pretty solid. It's a nice place in a cute courtyard. I'm not sure it's coming out of your way for, but it was on our way out from alba.

My friend and I visited LaLibera during the Annual Alba truffle festival and it was probably the…read morebest meal we had. We started with the veal tartare, which my friend and I shared, it was really good and the restaurant thoughtfully served split it onto two plates. The white truffle tajarin, however, was exceptional. Visiting during the Alba Truffle Fair, I had high hopes, and this dish delivered. It was well balanced and highlighted the white truffle greatness. The wine list is extensive, and the waiter's recommendation of a local Barbera was really good and reasonably priced. The restaurant struck a nice balance between a classic and contemporary ambiance, though it didn't stand out as particularly unique. The service was friendly and efficient, though not especially personal or engaging. All in all, La Liberia is a solid choice if you're in the area, I had a really good experience and would go back. Recommend.

I had high expectations for this restaurant. The staff was friendly upon arrival and sat us…read moreimmediately. I wish they would have had more menus in English instead of one. My biggest concern was when they went to replenish the bread, the sommelier brought it in her hand! I was floored that this establish would do this! the pasta with veal sauce was adequate at best and the shank and veal steak were also passable. my guest had burnt potatoes gratin with her veal steak. We did order a bottle of delicious wine, although it was opened in the back of the restaurant and not at the table. The wine list is the best thing at this restaurant. On a side note, I wish a wine region this famous would focus on the quality of the food in the region.

Recommended by the manager of the apartment we rented for 4 days and it was across the piazza from…read morethe apartment tucked away in a little courtyard off the piazza. Great service and food. Must have reservations.

Delicious regional dishes, quite refined and delicious! Very…read morepersonable service and on point ! Vibrant ambiance with white table cloth setting. Very inviting and comfortable. Tried their Tajarin, simple and divine. Noticeable wine selections!

This place was great! The food was so so good, including local Piedmont specialties. Prices were…read moregreat (including good prices on Alba White Truffle), nice atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Also they were open for dinner before 7:30 for those who aren't from Italy. Benissimo! Tutto era fantastico.

Cantina del Rondo is a beautiful restaurant located on the ground floor of Hotel Lauri and serves…read moresome of the best quality food in Piedmont. The tajarin (tagliatelle) with porcini mushroom has one of the greatest flavors and freshness of any pasta dish. The house wine (especially the Dolcetto) has a unique effervescence that dances on the tongue. The cheerful waitstaff have made both of our dinners here fun and special with excellent service. The chef is very sweet and has a clear passion for food, during truffle season she walked a precious white truffle around the tables to share the aromas of this beautiful delicacy. Definitely a must try restaurant for anyone staying or traveling through Neive.

Great team a the small restaurant. We went for lunch while in the area with the family. Nice…read moreselection of local wine, pasta and cheese. We set outside and enjoyed the great weather. Would highly recommend the restaurant given the great food and warm friendly staff. We will be back again and will keep Cantina del Rondo on our list of places to stop.

I'll let the car hire boys do the history bit:…read more http://www.car-hire-centre.co.uk/rd-italy/alba.html "Alba is the capital of the historical Langhe region and part of Piedmont in northwestern Italy, the small city of Alba is one of the many provincial spots in the country that offers tranquillity, history and charm in abundance. Replacing the early Celt and Ligurian tribes, the city itself was originally founded by the Romans as Alba Pompeia. Expanding into a site of regional importance, Alba was especially remarkable as the birthplace of Pertinax, the shortest serving Roman emperor in history (lasting just 86 days in 192 AD). Decimated by the marauding Burgundian, Frankish and Lombard tribes, it was only in the Middle Ages that Alba regained some semblance of stability as part of the 12th century Lombard League. Later dominated firstly by France then Spain, the city passed definitively to the Savoy family in the 17th century only liberated two centuries later by the Risorgimento. A notable anti-Fascist centre during the 20th century, even winning a Medal of Valour during World War II, the city is now more famous for its truffles than its politics. However, for a taste of the quiet life in a truly beautiful setting, Alba is the place for you." These Piedmontese white truffles are an expensive underground fungus delicacy that taste of earth, wood, garlic and - as some say - even sweat. They are tracked by dogs, unlike the French black ones, which are sniffed out by pigs. In October, the annual truffle festival takes place, when restaurateurs from all over Europe gather there. Parking is not easy among all the vans with registration plates ranging from Paris and Berlin to Barcelona. You can smell the market from a long way away and inside, the pungent pong is unbelievable. Learn more here: http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/PURSUITS/FOOD/9908/truffle.lat/ We decided to eat at the Aldente which was conveniently situated just off the Piazza and looked interesting (their website doesn't work, so somebody might like to correct the address). To start with, I had barbecued octopus, which I can still taste today in my imagination! They then recommend various dishes to go with truffles and I went for beef tartare. They bring a truffle to the table - along with digital scales - and shave truffle over your food until you decide you have enough. The amount of truffle consumed is charged by weight, and the truffle then removed for further use. Cheap it is not for an Italian lunch (EUR120 for 3) if I remember correctly, but then truffles don't run cheap. Still, I was given a handy little billfold with their name on it, which is a pleasant reminder. One caveat though: I subsequently learned that the Piedmontese claim truffles taste best with hot food and say that a fried egg is best. The waiter could have told me that ;-( but I'll forgive him because of the octopus. Alba is known not just for the truffles but also for fine wines such as Barbera d'Alba and Dolcetto d'Alba which are freely available at a reasonable price in the U.K. No truffles in these though - the latter prefer to grow under trees rather than grapevines! A nice place to go in this charming city. Note - off season it is a charming little place (we have been back), but during the festival it is seething...

Amazing food! The truffle and ravioli first course is delicious! The swordfish was also very good…read more Would recommend.

We recently had lunch here. The views are absolutely stellar with at least 180° stunning view from…read morethe hilltop location. We made a reservation well in advance and they saved us a great table. We were still reeling from the previous days four hour luncheon at another great restaurant,so we exercised considerable restraint in ordering both the food and wine. I tried the fried porcini mushrooms and a duck salad. My wife had A zucchini flower/flan, as well as risotto with squid. If we had eaten here first we probably would've been completely impressed with everything, but having gone to a couple of other fabulous restaurants in the area on previous days, we felt that this was a slight step down in the quality of the food. The service was friendly.

Outstanding spot for lunch. The food is excellent, as are the views of the vineyards. Sitting atop…read morea hill and with an excellent wine list, it is heaven.