266802 Mon Sep 19 16:29:20 -0700 2005 4 26 International 0 1407037 We're renting a house near Asti in October. Does anyone have any good recommendations near these areas ? We are very adventurous eaters,anything goes. Thanks ! Mon Sep 19 16:29:20 -0700 2005 0 alison 1 1407098 If you can make it to a winery, Anselma Familgia in Barolo, I think you will be very happy. The son of the owner, Maurizio Anselma, speaks fluent English. Very nice wines to boot and the view from their winery is spectacular. I went there last year in August and the winery was under construction. They should be finished by now. Tell Maurizio Yukari Pratt from Tokyo sent you. Thu Sep 22 10:23:23 -0700 2005 1407037 0 Yukari 1 1407101 You'll be near the small village of Mombarone (you can even take a city bus there from the Asti bus depot near the mainline station). I would reccommend a new-ish place called Ai Binari, which is housed in the old train station (hence the name). Excellent, sophisticated rustic cooking with no pretense. However, you must book; it's rather small. In Grinzano (Grinzano d' Cavour), quite apart from the enjoyable winery visit you can make, do try to take lunch at the local trattoria in town, though I'm afraid I can't recall their name. Very basic decor, basic service, but the local dishes are beyond compare. If you can make it to Cuneo, don't miss da Fino. Thu Sep 22 11:52:31 -0700 2005 1407037 0 Eugenia 1 1407292 You could try Boccadavino in Bra. I believe it is run by the Slow Food group. I would also recommend visiting Cherasco, which is a very lovely (and very different) town. Try the Osteria Rosa Rossa there. Fri Sep 30 13:03:22 -0700 2005 1407037 0 DavidT 1 1407540 i highly recommend picking up copy of the slow food osteria guide once you get here (you can purchse a copy at most major bookstores in italy, as well as at the SF reception in bra). that said, the best places to eat: osteria veglio (annunziata, just outside of la morra) da gemma (roddino) la coccinella (serravalle langhe) ristorante guido (pollenzo) alll'enoteca (canale) antica corona reale da renzo (cervere) the first three are really reasonably-priced osteria-type restaurants (about €20-25 a head), while the latter three will cost a bit more (from €40-70 a head). there's also il laghetto pizzeria in la morra, fuori porta (unfortunate atmosphere, but amazing burrata pizza) in cinzano, and the wonderful baladin microbrewery in piozzo. boccondivino is pretty good, as davidT mentioned, as are lalibera and osteria dell'arco in alba. check out the cascina di cornale (just outside asti) -- it's a much-loved organic farm-cum-restaurant. Mon Oct 10 12:45:00 -0700 2005 1407037 0 winnie