A Week in the Piemontese Countryside
Think of Piedmont and the wines spring instantly to mind. This is the home of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera. The best places to try a glass or bottle are local restaurants which feature both the famous labels and things that you’ll never find outside of Piedmont. Regional specialties abound. The Slow Food movement is headquartered in Bra and runs a university dedicated to its culinary principles in nearby Pollenzo. Piedmont is also ground zero for Italy’s microbrewing revolution.
Highlights
5 Piazza della Consolata
The Bicerin is a gastronomic speciality of Turin. I love both chocolate and espresso, and was delighted to discover this warming confection in a glass, also called a Bicerin. The drink is layered into the glass oh so carefully: espresso first, then cocoa and finally a topping of thick cream. Sublime! There are more elegant places to enjoy a Bicerin in Turin, but if you want to try the drink at the place where it was created more than 200 years ago, head for Piazza della Consolata and Caffè Al Bicerin. Sit at one of the six or so tables in this cafe where, as the locals say, “everything tastes like history”, order your drink and enjoy with a morning newspaper. You will also have opportunity for people-watching as locals queue at the counter for sweet breakfast breads. When you are done, go next door to the tiny shop and buy cocoa or chocolates in old-fashioned tins to take home and preserve the memory of this special treat.
