I am a Director of an upscale travel agency, I have traveled extensively since the age of 12, and I…read moreconsider myself a demanding consumer. And yet I don't think I can add to the countless 5-star reviews that the extraordinary Denise and her exceptional staff have earned at this renovated castle. The renovation retained all the ambience of a 900-year-old castle while adding the amenities essential to a luxurious stay. However, it is the services that make the difference here. The daily itinerary is carefully planned by people who know the wineries, restaurants, and experiences like cooking classes intimately. And everyone is courteous, happy, and well trained, carefully attending to every detail of the property and services. Yet most mind-blowing is the dinner. For whatever reason, the restaurant doesn't get the one or likely two Michelin stars that I know it deserves. The menu is based on regional ingredients but uses Denise's expertise and creativity that I couldn't find at any of the many other tradition-bound restaurants we tried while in Barolo and its neighbors. I have read several reviews that rate a dinner at the Costello the best of their entire trip to Italy. So stop reading. Make your reservations!

We found this gem online while looking for a place to stay during a 4-day visit to Piemonte for…read morewine tasting. Located in the tiny residential village of Sinio its a little island by itself up on a breezy hilltop. Since this is a restored castle dating from the 12th century the stone walls are thick and windows are tiny to keep out medieval marauders and the rooms are all unique. We stayed in room 7 on the 1st (2nd the way we count) floor at the end of the hall featuring a large bedroom and sitting area that was a few steps below the hallway. It also had two small twin beds in a loft above so this room would be a good choice for family groups. The staff opened the wrought iron gate and greeted us at the top of the drive along with the owner. While the owner, Denise (who is American) checked us in and provided an extensive orientation while we sipped prosecco, the luggage was taken off to our room. One of the features of the property is an immaculately landscaped courtyard bespectacled with colorful blooms-an oasis of tranquility and beauty in an otherwise unremarkable village. The hotel also has an amazing restaurant open only to guests and we opted to try it our first night-oh my God! It turns out Denise is also the executive chef-perhaps her primary love-and we enjoyed a memorable 2-hour meal seated in the open-air Terrace tasting exquisite delights. We started by sharing the "into the garden pasta"-handmade ravioli artfully displayed with bits of shaved garden vegetables and herbs followed by a most delicious sole perfectly crispy on the edges and succulent with al dente vegetables and a beautiful sauce of lemon and passion fruit. Words just cannot describe how good this restaurant's food was. In fact, the dining is reason enough alone to stay here for anyone who enjoys the culinary experience of a master chef. We followed the meal with a decadent chocolate and cherry mouse cake that was the perfect finale to a beautiful evening. All in all a nice place to stay Positives: -great staff -unique, comfortable and quiet rooms with great AC -great restaurant - fantastic dinner Challenges: -tiny shower in our room (loft suite)-size of old time phone booth -breakfast NOT included and at 14€ per person per day it adds up -onerous cancellation policy (perhaps they've had an issue once people arrive to this small isolated town) -location a bit off the beaten path and very few other places to eat in tiny village-one pizzeria nearby that was nice

The most incredible meal of my life. Flavors that cannot be described, only can be enjoyed…read more Tremendous value as well. Service was also amazing.

Nice restaurant with a beautiful view on the vineyards, local cuisine served in one multiple…read morecourses menu, abundant choice of wines, very friendly staff... It was tough to get through the plenty of dishes they served, but we were especially delighted by the anchovies in walnut sauce and the raviolis with rosemary...

Cesare Giaccone will welcome you with open arms and his open pit BBQ where he roasts the most…read morefabulous food. Small intimate place for a lunch in the Barolo area

Gemma re-established the traditional Piedmontese menu. She draws from a regional if not national…read morecrowd who appreciate the exquisite attention to detail in every dish. Classic Italian. Only three ingredients in each dish but each ingredient is perfect. Come hungry. You will be full after the appetizers.

Gemma is the owner of this restaurant! She is the best! She personally cooks everything and…read moreeverything. Here you can try the tipical Piedmontese cuisine. Location is really nice. Roddino is in Langhe and from the balcony of the restaurant you have an amazing view on all the surrounding area. I totally recommend this place for two main reason: first the possibility to meet Gemma and second for eating her cuisine as awesome as the cooker.

My absolute favorite restaurant in all of the Langhe. The white table clothes, the impeccable…read moreservice, the amazing wine list and the FOOD!!!! Its a perfect storm of awesomeness!!!! Our last two times here we got the table in front of the fireplace given we were here in November and December respectively, its the perfect location! We started with an amuse of prosciutto and fried bread - the perfect amount to whet your appetite. On the advice of the sommelier, we chose a 2013 Bruno Giacosa Barolo which was fabulous. The wine list features wine from the immediate area only - Monforte and Serralunga which is really a nice touch. What grows together, goes together. Our antipasti were the baked onion (a staple of piemontese cooking) and well as another staple - carne cruda with white truffle of course! My husband had a primi... a trio of pastas. gnocchi, tajarin, and plin - all, of course, with white truffles. Absolutely amazing! For secondi, my husband had the stinco, and I had the veal tagliata with porcini mushrooms. Of course we got the bonet for dessert - another quintessential Piemontese dish. The entire experience here is so amazing, you cannot skip it when here. If you are going to Langhe, make a reservation here!

Be prepared to spend 3.5 hours The onion hors d'oouves, the agnolotti pasta and the deep fried…read morelamb chops were unique and wonderful wine is regional with limited selection Gorgeous grounds pleasant service My just married granddaughter's favorite in Monforte D'ALBA

I enjoyed the food at this casual eatery. I was craving some raw food and really liked their…read moresalad. Pasta, of course, is good too.

As mentioned in the previous review, Grappolo D'Oro is a family run coffee shop, restaurant and…read morehotel in the center of Monforte d'Alba. You can't miss it, it's in the middle of the central piazza. Two brothers, they look like twins, are at the front either greeting in the restaurant upstairs in the coffee shop downstairs. Their mother is a regular fixture in the coffee shop too. The Coffee Shop- It's always busy and a great spot to catch up with locals. The coffee is pretty darned good too! Morning pastries and fresh bread is quite limited though. The Restaurant- Located on the top floor, it's a spacious and classic spot serving up a super traditional Piemontese menu. An insalata mista and grilled veal made for a light lunch. The veal, however, was quite tough and chewy, so it wasn't the best I've had in the area. I'll be returning to Monforte to get married, I'll be sure to grab my morning cappuccino there! And yes, English is spoken there for those that need it.

Located slightly down the hill from La Morra proper. We came here on a recommendation of the wife…read moreof a wine maker we had visited earlier that day. As with most places in the Langhe, we found the wine list to be extensive and amazing. The food and the service are top notch. The carne cruda came with fresh porcini mushrooms, the pastas were all fresh made and the stinco? What can I say, this was the first time we've had it and we loved it! We liked the restaurant so much we came back another day for lunch and sat outside which was beautiful. Definitely recommend eating here

Amazing lunch here. We started with green ravioli filled with the local cheese and covered with…read morespecks of black truffles. My wife had a very generous portion of pork belly that was tender and delicious with sweet-and-sour sauce. Our second course was an amazing braised veal that was so tender that it fell apart and was wonderfully delicious and a mushroom lasagna that was completely made from scratch and was probably the best lasagna I have ever tasted even though I just had a bite. We had a Massolino 2011 Margheria barolo that just knocked our socks off and also helped with our high approval of this place. While it is not necessary to speak Italian to enjoy the osteria, it is helpful if you can at least say and understand a few words. The waiter first brought us a menu entirely in Italian which was replaced with an English menu after we spent about 30 minutes puzzling out the Italian.

Seriously one of the best meals I've ever eaten! We don't speak Italian and took a leap of faith on…read morethe 28euro menu not knowing what would be served to us. What followed was 8 incredible dishes of traditional piedmontese cuisine straight from mama's kitchen. Couldn't fault any of the dishes, left wide eyed and 2 inches wider. Unbeatable value. Fantastic.