Signorvino Torino — Restaurant in Turin

I booked a table for one at 7 pm. The high music in the background reminded me of how elevator music would sound like with a techno twist, but somehow it blended in with the vibrant atmosphere, the too-busy-to-smile-at-you- waiters and the long table of chatting people across from me. I think that's the word I'd describe my first impression: vibrant. In a good way. Perhaps I was hoping to find myself in a more quiet place, but what else do you really expect walking into one of the most talked about places in Torino?

I ordered a big glass of Barolo ca' Dell'oss and a Tagliatelle al Barolo. They recommended the "Vento di Terra" Nebbiolo, but I guess the leap of faith landed me on greener pastures. Because that pairing was unbelievable, not to mention the food. Good Lord. Che bono (!), to say the least. The egg noodles were cooked perfectly al dente and brought me back to child memories I thought were repressed since years. Even though the music was strange and the placement of my table was awkward - facing the entrance with all the distractions from people walking in and passing by and paying just a couple of meters behind me - I found myself totally submerged in the tasting experience. It reminded me of a salciccia dish I made a few months ago, and I couldn't quite place what it was. And I forgot to ask. Nevertheless - squisito! And the dessert - half a dussin bits of sbrisolona cake with some kind of tiramisu creme on the side - brought a smile across my face. The texture was great and the presentation was splendid. Finally, of course, I ordered an espresso, which a friendly young waiter named Domenico recommended.

Overall a fantastic experience. Maybe a bit too noisy, but not at all to the degree it disrupted my stay in any way. Signorvino have my varmest...

On our first full day in Turin we asked a waitress at our lunch venue about where we could find some local wines we'd read about as we were eager to try them! She recommended Signorvino so we called on the way back to the hotel. Its a beautiful shop and the guy who came over was really helpful, willing to listen about what we were looking for and our budget so we came away with a very good Alta Langa and Roero and a dinner reservation for that night to the restaurant set back in the courtyard. After apperitivo we went back and were so well looked after by Anna P on the top floor terrace. We shared starters of pumpkin flowers aranchinis and olive with meat balls bread sticks and buns then chose a main with a glass of wine recommended for each which worked out really well. The Valpollicello worked well with my pork cutlet rosemary roasted potatoes and mayonnaise. The Amorone with my friends red wine risotto went down a treat too. The trio of desserts rounded things of nicely. When we got the bill we were so pleased we decided to book for Sunday lunch before we were booked for travel back to the airport. The lovely Anna P took care of us on our return and this time we went for the cheesy polenta, vegetable pie and meatballs in tomato sauce to start followed by the carbonara with a Roma red and pork cheek with mash and a Valpollicello, managing to squeeze in another trio of desserts! Great hazlenut crumbles, tiramisu and cheesecake. The food and wine choices were excellent and great value. Both times it was a lovely busy atmosphere and we were so...

Tourists to Turin - avoid this place like the plague. I can't remember when I last encountered such uncivil, hostile treatment from a server/waiter.

If you do go and there is a slight, balding man in his 30s-40s wearing spectacles on the door, leave and spend your money elsewhere. My sister and I were treated with contempt by this man from the off, like we were simply a nuisance. He was rude, unfriendly and aggressive. First he ignored us. Then he got annoyed because we didn't choose a table inside. When he cleared our outside table after we sat down he was slamming glasses around like a toddler having a tantrum. He was seething with resentment and anger. It was clear he dislikes his job and dislikes customers and, I suspect, as two middle-aged women on our own, we were easy targets to take his bad mood out on.

We let the duty manager know of our experience, who apologised but we had already decided to leave without ordering.

My sister is a wine writer and was hoping to give this establishment a nice write-up, but this won't be happening now. It just takes one terrible, unprofessional team member to let the whole operation down. Enjoy your Piedmont wines...