Restaurant FRE, Monforte d'Alba

​The Langhe is one of the Italian areas I absolutely prefer.
The calm, the hills covered by rows of vineyards and the strongholds scattered to remember a past history of frontier land.
And during the autumn this land becomes, if possible, even more magical; the sparkling air, the mist that surrounds the landscape and confers a mysterious aura and colors from the warm shades of vegetation that is preparing for the coming winter.
This is the landscape that you can admire heading towards the restaurant FRE in Monforte d'alba.

​The restaurant FRE stands out non only for the pleasant landscape in which it is welcomed, but also for the use of exclusive raw materials of the territory, supplying itself from the small local suppliers.
It is also specified on their site:
"The kitchen of the FRE led by Paolo Meneguz is inspired by the concepts of sustainability, territoriality and the fight against waste. The parts considered less noble than the slaughtered animals, purchased whole, are also used to prepare dishes studied according to the cut. The proximity is ensured through the conduction of a vegetable garden and organic orchard – where vegetables, fruit of ancient varieties and aromatic herbs are cultivated. Foraging – the search for spontaneous and wild products such as mushrooms, small fruits, essences, flowers, berries and edible plants, game and river fish complete a markedly territorial menu."
It rises inside what was once the workshop of a carpenter, 'fre' in Piedmont language, the furnishings follow the same strand of the kitchen, that is to emphasize the local artisans: the wooden tables are made in fact by a craftsman of Cuneo, and the result is an elegant, sober and warm local that harmonizes with the landscape that you can admire outside the windows and the terrace.

​As you will notice from the photo my choice of wine fell on a local excellence, the Barolo marked REVA of 2014: Nebbiolo 100%.
"If the owl makes the nest on an oak between the vines, the vintage will be unforgettable...": this was the belief of the ancient vintners, to which the cellar "Réva" pays homage by reporting on the label of Barolo the figure of the owl, symbol of wisdom, for a wine that if patiently awaited it pays the full years spent waiting for him. 
It rests for 24 months in oak barrels, to be bottled in August: it is a Barolo to be called in question when one has to deal with the red meats, with the wild game or with the matured cheeses. Together with the mixed boiled piedmont it is really a beauty to pair.
It comes at the sight of a beautiful ruby red, with delicate grenade reflexes. The olfactory bouquet is set on ripe notes of red berry fruit, complemented by shades of sage, rose petals and tobacco. In the mouth it is full and elegant, well polished in the tannic texture, enveloping and deep and of long persistence.
The lunch opened with a very particular amuse-bouche, of the macarons with cream of livers and reduction of pomegranate; despite not being a lover of liver and pate I must confess that I would have ordered others because they were very delicate!

Then the dish with the magic ingredient that my palate was already anticipating for days, the king of the Langhe, the white truffle.
This time, after having tasted it on the Tagliolini the night before, it was in abundance to cover a few eggs, potatoes and hazelnuts.

An explosion of taste, the delicacy of white truffle is something indescribable, together with the egg manages to create a harmony of flavors that exalts it impeccably.
Then another typical dish of the area, the ravioli of the Plin stuffed with wild boar, sour butter and elderberry sauce, absolutely unmissable; Just acidity to compensate for the stuffing of ravioli, delicious pasta, a pity to finish them.

​As the second dish an excellent Guinea-fowl accompanied by beet.

Finally, as dessert the rennet apple was the protagonist, in various consistencies.
A worthy finale to a memorable lunch, definitely worth the expectation.