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

A beautiful modern luxury hotel located on the top of a hill surrounded by vineyards…read more We stopped for lunch of the beautiful Terrace overlooking the valley filled with vineyards. According to our guide, this place caters somewhat to business and other groups; in fact there was a bike riding excursion company there with a number of riders the day we stopped in. As for the restaurant, service is classical and formal with polite and efficient servers moving back and for in synchronicity with one another to ensure you have what you need. My wife and I had chicken Cesar salads which were a bit different from those back in USA (just ok) and like all meals in the area these came with local breadsticks and breads. The service and view make this 4 stars alone even if our food was only 3.

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.

When the dessert is the best dish... there is something wrong here. We had a multi-course meal:…read more Veal tartar (1/5) - just a place of raw veal with some salt. I felt like a barbarian eating this... no flavor whatsoever except raw meat... Pasta with white truffles (3/5) - the pasta was cooked perfectly but the ratio between pasta and truffle was too high... as a result, the dish lacked any truffle flavor Veal + polenta (1/5) - after 1 bite, I passed on this dish... simply not for me... Chocolate Mouse with a cookie (3/5) - meh... it was okay but how can you mess this up? Overall would not recommend - I am sure there are better places to try around this area!

This restaurant was recommended when we check in at Villa Beccaris. What a fabulous surprise. We…read morewent with the Chefs tasting menu and each dish was more fantastic than the previous. I will have dreams about the pasta course for some time! Artfully paired with local wines this recently Michelin recognized restaurant is a must visit for anyone traveling through the area. To top it off, the view from the dinning room is spectacular.

My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon. Their restaurant is amazing - we still talk about…read morehow delicious the eggs are at breakfast (included) and how amazing their dinner and lunches are. We ate their as often as possible. The rooms are beautiful and the property is stunning. The wine tasting was very informative and the service was incredible all around. Highly recommend and will definitely return!

Palas Cerequio is more like dieci stelle! Nestled deep in the vineyards of the Langhe, this place…read moreis magical. It's a true destination and without a doubt a great choice to just relax and unwind, or explore the local area. With only nine rooms- which by the way are insanely modernized, equipped with every amenity you can think of from jacuzzi tubs, to iphone docks, fluffy beds and uninterrupted views to wine country. AND Every room has either a steam bath or a sauna. Yep...it's pure luxury. The coolest part is that four of the rooms are old Victorian still style and the other five are modern. This is because a portion of the property is historical and then they built a modern wing- somehow it all works beautifully. While I didn't actually sleep here, I know all of this because I got a personal tour with the GM, Roberto. I was considering renting out the Palas for my wedding and we spent a few hours on the property. We got to see the rooms, the wine cellar, the tasting room and then we enjoyed a spectacular lunch on the terrace. The menu is elegant yet traditional Piemontese and the service is impeccable and first class, but unpretentious. And of course, the wine. You don't have to be a guest here to tour the vineyard and setup a tasting. They have a phenomenal tasting cellar....it's gorgeous and modern and elegant. Michele Chiarlo is the winemaker and owner of the vineyards and hotel. One of the top producers in the region. Wines are gorgeous. The cellar houses something like 50,000 bottles in addition to other top wines of the Langhe. This place is a dream and I will absolutely be back for another meal and definitely an overnight stay.

Just happen to drive by this restaurant and needed something to eat before a wine tasting. Very…read moregood authentic Italian with hearty portions. The "light lunch" was just about all I could handle. The homemade pasta is delicious. They offer their own brand of wines from what I think is their vineyard on the property. Very authentic and very good. You will not he disappointed.

Looked cool. Researched it. Came into town and wanted a bite and a drink. No go. Met by an…read moreunfriendly person who said I didn't have a reservation. Lots of empty tables and I was willing to wait. She said I couldn't eat their tonight. I asked about making reservations for another day. Not helpful. She was not interested. So, I left and went to have dinner somewhere else. Wtf. Good luck coming here. I would recommend going somewhere else. The wine is excellent no matter where you land so forget these guys.