A warmly run Piedmontese trattoria in the Monferrato hills, delivering excellent traditional food, local wines and scenery at a somewhat premium rural-dining price, with occasional service lapses.
Non Solo Crudo delivers strong food quality anchored in traditional Piedmontese cooking, with repeat diners praising consistent execution of pasta, local meats, and mushroom dishes across multiple visits. Service combines genuine hospitality with distinctive regional wine knowledge, while the hillside setting and vineyard views create meaningful destination appeal. Solid performance across all dimensions keeps it just short of the very top tier.
Non Solo Crudo is a family-run trattoria perched in the Monferrato hills, where wine bottles line the room, old brickwork sets the tone and the outdoor tables make a sunny day feel like a small Piedmontese escape. Diners repeatedly describe the welcome as personal and warm—one memorable visit felt less like eating out than being received into an Italian home—though a few reports of brusque service keep the picture from being flawless. The cooking is traditional, generous and ingredient-led rather than flashy: expect Piedmontese raw beef, vitello tonnato, tajarin, agnolotti, slow-cooked meats, porcini and a strong regional wine focus. The current menu offers plenty of vegetarian choices alongside its meat-heavy classics, and the €45-55 food-only estimate for a full meal is fair for the quality, setting and portions, although it may feel expensive to casual diners. This is a destination for people who enjoy regional cooking, local wines and a leisurely rural setting—not a quick, bargain lunch. Families can find workable choices here, including gnocchi, ravioli, tajarin, roast meats, potatoes and familiar desserts such as tiramisu or chocolate cake, while the generous portions suit sharing. One review specifically mentions asking for a high chair and receiving an unhelpful welcome, so family hospitality may vary by shift; book ahead if bringing children or dining at a busy time.
Area vibe: Scenic, agricultural wine region known for vineyards, truffles, and slow-paced village life.
Safety: Very safe, quiet roads and villages with low evening footfall; drive-in/out required after dark.
What's nearby: Surrounded by vineyards, agriturismi, local wineries, and small village services; nearest town Asti and Alba within driving distance.
The strongest choices run from carne cruda and vitello tonnato to tajarin, agnolotti, and seasonal porcini.
Book ahead and budget carefully, because the hillside setting, truffles, and wine can make this more of a destination meal than a bargain stop.
Expect old brick, local wine, hillside scenery, and a warmly personal welcome, with service that can sometimes be uneven.