Trattoria della Posta — Restaurant in Monforte d'Alba

Let's start with the positives: the food is great, the COVID protocols flawless, the staff friendly and the sommelier quirky. That would normally make for a great evening, however there are quite a number of other considerations that, very regrettably, affected negatively the overall experience. I could start with the booking process: only by landline or fax (I mean, seriously?), the website is devoid of any menu so one has to go by the pictures of previous guests on Google. Turns out that, absolutely understandably, the menu offers some variation (seasonal or otherwise), but one can only find out after sitting down. As my partner does not eat meat, we discovered that she could only really choose one of the starters, and one of two gnocchi-based primi. The truffle harvest must have been meager if one truffle shave is 70 (seventy) euros per person and the truffle tasting menu 220 (two-hundred-and-twenty) euros. Good thing we don't like truffle. We had to ask to be moved to a better illuminated (read less bright) room, as the first one we were placed at was illuminated like a school canteen. Another sore point is the absolute lack of transparency on the price of wine. As mentioned, the sommelier is not a dusty old man, which is refreshing, but he will ask what you like (and rather not what you are eating), and at no point mention the prices. The whole setting is very formal and pricey, with several suited up waiters waltzing around to cater to your needs and make you generally uncomfortable... until you observe with horror people with young children (!), babies (!!) and dogs (!!!) being escorted in close to you. The cacophony of loud iPads, cries and barking is quite frankly unacceptable, no matter how wealthy and familiar to the staff these people might be. Finally the price tag: the truffle-less food is excellent but anything but extravagant. We were served a starter each, a primo each, two glasses of wine each, two coffees and a shared dessert for nearly 70 euros per person, prices that we would generally expect here in Copenhagen and not off-season in the middle of nowhere (keep in mind that between Christmas and New Year there is very little to choose from in the area). I think Trattoria della Posta needs to decide if they are a family restaurant or a high-flying Michelin restaurant, they can't be both (and I would wholeheartedly recommend to go for the former). Last note: it is unconscionable and irresponsible to keep asking someone who stressed multiple times they're driving if they want more wine. It is of course a personal choice, but in other countries staff can lose their job (and rightfully so) for such behavior. An experience we...

In our recent trip to Piemonte we reserved a table for lunch at this restaurant. The restaurant is in a beautiful location and the dining rooms are elegant. The food was spectacular! "della Posta" delivered the best quality food without interfering with the regional authenticity in every dish served. The flavors, freshness, and presentation were unmatched. We came back for dinner the next day and the experience was as amazing as the day before. We ate: the octopus appetizer that was on the specials, the baked stuffed onion, tajarin pasta with fresh porcini mushrooms, gnocchi with fish and olives, stuffed quail, goose leg stuffed with goose liver, tajarin with meat ragu, roasted rabbit, roasted baby lamb, panacotta and napoleon with fresh strawberries. We also ate at Osteria Veglio, Trattoria Marsupino, More e Macine, and restaurant Bovio. Della Posta was the best of all. It's a husband and wife team running the restaurant. The husband is the executive chef and the wife is in charge of service. You'll see her running the dining room, working with the staff, taking orders, opening wine, sitting guests, answering the phone, etc. She is awesome!

Millefoglie.

Roasted baby lamb.

Roasted stuffed quail.

Tajarin with fresh porcini...

It’s impossible to understand the ratings awarded to this establishment. Perhaps we were unlucky but I don’t believe luck should play a part in enjoying good food. A party of six ordering over 12 different plates and none of us enjoyed our food. It was lacking in flavour, with no quality of either preparation or ingredients on display. Loud intrusive music and a condescending waiter hardly improved matters. When we made it clear we didn’t want to spend over €1000 on a single bottle of wine the service deteriorated yet further. We were an international party, well versed in top level travel and dining. This was an experience none of us would ever want to repeat. My pasta special of the day featuring rabbit would be comfortably beaten by a pot noodle. We couldn’t wait to leave - I think the staff felt the same way about...