Caffè dell'Orologio — Restaurant in Turin

We arrived in Turin after a five hour bus ride and after a few hours of walking, found ourselves very hungry. The restaurants on the list we put together before coming to Turin were either closed (Mondays are like that here) or far from where we were. This came up on a google maps search and we decided to try it.

And I'm glad we did.Walking in, it's a casual place with a bar at the entry with at least fifty bottles of wine, some with the cork stuffed in and others not yet opened. Turns out it's a small plates restaurant. The menu is incomprehensible but someone who speaks English explained it to us. The food is outstanding. Our favorite dishes were a cold plate of paper-thin veal tongue with a tomato compote and a Jerusalem artichoke flan with a garlic and anchovy sauce, but everything we ordered was excellent. And for the wine, the assistance in the shop was excellent (we discover that there is an attached wine shop), they ask a lot of questions, pour a couple samples, and then give a really good pour on the glasses. Total price for a filling meal and four glasses of wine is 65euros. It was such a great experience we bought a bottle from the shop to take to our...

A wonderfully appointed, beautifully presented, cut-above-the-rest restaurant in Torino, with stunning service. Absolutely delightful to be able to speak to a very knowledgeable waiter, whose knowledge of wines and spirits was impeccable, better than many someillers in the city. The food was just right portion-wise, imaginative yet not too sophisticated, adding a refreshing twist to traditional dishes like bollito, tongue and gorgonzola, hazelnuts and fig, salad while absolutely remaining true to their flavours and to the soul of Piedmont cuisine. The stunning neo gothic church of the Sacro Cuore stands proudly opposite provides the perfect frame, transforming the alfresco experience into a Stendhal moment. The wines and the spirits are way above what one might expect out of a trattoria. Highly recommended, absolutely no...

In my personal top list when it comes to restaurants, worldwide. I would eat here at least once a week if I were living in Turin. Honest, simple, seasonal, local food, cooked with skill and knowledge of the ingredient. Plus, the only café I know that has a full time sommelier and sources most interesting, funky local bottles. Amazing, friendly staff, trying to accommodate you the best they can, even if there is a language barrier. A must for everyone.

The only thing that could be changed is the coffee - I get it, it’s from the Turin’s old roastery, but still, these are burned, industrial coffee beans that taste like burned rubber. Specialty coffee is growing all over Italy and Piemonte has a few small, amazing roasteries as well, roasting ethically sourced, quality coffee. I hope you guys start working with...