Ca' Del Lupo

My mother wanted to celebrate her birthday with dinner here, where we'd eaten a number of years ago. Stefano and the staff made the evening special, and the food was just as good as the views. Ca' Del Lupo is a fantastic restaurant along the less-traveled road, and well worth the trip.

The service was fine, but there were too many problems with the food for me to want to drive up the hill to eat here again. The potatoes came with three of our four dishes, were as leathery as they could be, and every diner left them. The rabbit was dried out. The scorpion fish was bland and plated inconsistently: one plate had 8 olives, another had 2, and the cherry tomatoes mentioned in the description were nowhere to be found. The roasted pepper starter tasted canned. The pasta was okay, and one special starter did stand out: a salad with slices of duck. I'm not sure the restaurant would survive without the hotel's captive audience.

The desserts were a highlight across our two lunches: torronata with strawberries, bignolone with Chantilly cream, yogurt mousse with white chocolate and strawberries, and hazelnut cake with zabaglione cream. We also had an excellent bottle of Renato Ratti 2023 Nebbiolo. Stefano and the whole staff were attentive and friendly, and after we paid, as is typical for restaurants of this caliber, they offered us grappa and amaro. We'd already enjoyed this elegant, panoramic restaurant and were impressed by the careful cooking and beautiful hilltop setting, with views over Montelupo and the Langhe valley all the way to Monviso. The menu respects Langhe tradition in its appetizers and first courses, as well as some second courses, while still offering plenty of variety. This time we tried the Piedmontese trio of Fassona beef tartare, baked peppers with green sauce, and veal with tuna sauce, which was truly excellent. We also had agnolotti with borage and ricotta, tajarin with Piedmontese ragù, roast Nebbiolo-infused bread, and roast lamb. Congratulations to Stefano and the whole staff.

The food was the real highlight: the eggs were delicious, and the rabbit was excellent, with tender meat that melted in my mouth and tasty vegetables, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes. The restaurant is top-notch, and breakfast was plentiful with lots of variety. I recommend the hotel as a base for exploring the Langhe, and the typical Piedmontese dishes are all excellent. We stayed one day and used the pool. The loungers were a little dated. The rooms are spacious and comfortable; my only complaint was the uncomfortable tub, as a shower would be perfect. Towels and good-quality cleansing products are provided. The views are breathtaking, the bar service decent, and there was an aperitif on the terrace with focaccia, salami, and cheese.