I migliori ristorantinella città Alba della Cuneo

03/08/2024: Not much to add regarding food, this is really a beautiful experience. The insalata 51 is absolutely necessary (and NOT to be split!) -- it's a journey in itself. We also added the beef tartare with black truffle shavings; skip this, I didn't think it was worth the 50€ (and not as clearly about the truffle compared to other dishes we've had elsewhere). As with any tasting, there were standouts and less mindblowing dishes in the "seasonal things" menu, but Enrico Crippa's vision comes through clearly in all of them, representing the pinnacle of representing each flavor and ingredient (especially vegetables from the garden!). It's expensive and one has to go in knowing that this kind of meal is an expression of the chef's philosophy, not just a way to satisfyingly fill your stomach. On the service side, really wonderful and attentive from all -- the (young!) sommelier even provided a sort of faux pairing of a handful of very nice and local wines, which added about 120€ to the check (very reasonable compared to the "grand tasting"). My wife also appreciated the nonalcoholic options (a really delicious and surprisingly subtle kombucha as well as a "hyperlow" gin and tonic). The only minor note regarding service is that breadcrumbs were only swept once (rather late as well) and the water pouring was aggressive (splashes on to the table). Things that don't matter anywhere except a three-star restaurant! Pacing of the food -- perhaps a little on the slow side (our meal lasted about 4 hours), but at the very least our hosts visited in between quite naturally, somewhat alleviating the lull between dishes. The room we were in (three tables upstairs) felt a little sterile despite some wonderful tapestries by an American-Ukrainian artist. No music here, which was certainly a little awkward at first, but as the meals started and the choreography of the service time kicked in, the feeling dissipated. Just enjoy the food and talk to the team! We appreciated very much the opportunity to meet the chef and take a photo, and also a surprise gift (subtly presented without fanfare at the end, we think for our special occasion). Our total was about 1000€, in fact lower than I expected since I let the sommelier choose the wines. Worth it if you find these kinds of experiences meaningful in the same way other hobbyists do. Perhaps not for the first-timer.

25/07/2024: What can you say about a 3*** Michelin starred restaurant, chef Crippa. Everything was perfect, even the birthday lunch, completely vegan, prepared for my nephew. Compliments.