Àlea Ristorante - Castell'Alfero (AT)

Àlea is the new fine dining restaurant based in the Castle of Castell'Alfero, in the Asti region, which was an important noble residence in the 13th century. Its name is an acronym for the initials of the names of the three managers, but also a reminder of the idea of a gamble and the Latin phrase "Alea iacta est," meaning "the die is cast," as a symbol of irrevocable decision with no return.
Starring in the kitchen, we find two chef friends and colleagues who have worked together at one of the world's most prestigious tristellati, the Catalan Disfrutar: Alessandro Bartoli, 29, with a dream in his pocket of opening a restaurant in the Asti area, and Giulio Canavese, 35, a pastry chef originally from Albenga.
In full respect of the original architecture protected by the Fine Arts, the restyling of the interior focused on pastel colors and decorations conceived by young artist Stefano Porro.
After walking through antechambers and corridors, here is the hall used as the dining room, elegant and classy with its marble floors, soaring ceilings, frescoes and draperies.
Furniture, accessories and decorative elements are the tools that accompany customers on the sensory journey offered by Àlea.
You can access it directly by lift from the Reception floor, first encountering the room with the bar counter, and, in front of this, the air-conditioned cellar, which in turn can host small convivial meetings.
There are tasting courses where from the very first course you realize you are in an Outstanding Kitchen: this is the case at Àlea, the new Fine Dining Restaurant rooted in the great Iberian school of gastronomy.
Alessandro Bartoli has a decidedly happy hand in enhancing local ingredients with a contemporary "state of the art" technique involving creative and surprising combinations.
The palate comes out delighted and always clean thanks to the leit-motif of an acidic component present in many preparations and always perfectly dosed.
The restaurant project reinterprets Piedmontese and Ligurian tradition in a modern and contemporary way, enriching it with Mediterranean spices and colors.
If you would like to stick to the classics, there is a Tradition Menu offered at a truly inviting price.
The other two menus, one of which is vegetarian, surprise with their balance and imagination.
Giulio Canavese takes care of the desserts, and you'll have a real taste experience with him as well.

Do you want to post your comment? Make yourself the Critic on the Blog!

Post your comment: