Torino’s Quadrilatero is probably one of the best zones to eat and drink. Regardless of what day of the week it is, it’s constantly lively and there’s always an interesting bar or restaurant lurking around every corner. That said, while I tend to seek out less traditional Piemontese food when I go out, sometimes I stumble about something that’s both classic and creative. Cue: Tre Galli and their Piemontese fare with flair.
With indoor and outdoor seating, Tre Galli boasts a sort of chic and rustic vibe that makes it attractive to many. With subtle chicken dècor, the space is funky to say the least. One of the first restaurants in the city, the eatery boasts over 500 years of heritage, but that doesn’t mean the cuisine is stuck in the past.
At its core Tre Galli’s cuisine is Piedmontese redefined, giving traditional dishes a modern twist. Think: agnolotti and carne cruda, but also fish and chips and hummus piadinas. Open for lunch or dinner, the restaurant also offers unique aperitivo offerings that can be enjoyed with a glass of vino from their impressive wine list.
With over a 1000 labels, many are Italian, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a surplus of international wines. Not to mention that many organic, natural and biodynamic wine producers are also presented in Tre Galli’s curated wines—super exciting!
Anyways, without further adieu, here’s what we ordered:
Isola dei Nuraghi Rosé
A pretty pink hue, Sa Raja's Istade Isola dei Nuraghi I.G.T. Rosato is a blend of local varieties grown in Sardegna (varietals like Vermentino, Cannonau and Carignano are often typical of the Isola dei Nuraghi I.G.T. designation). With subtle white peach and pomegranate flavours, this rosé was the ideal companion for the cheeses and seafood dishes that we ordered.
Ricotta fresca
I’ve never been a huge fan of ricotta until tasting this dish. While the ricotta I buy back in Canada can be quite grainy, Tre Galli’s was the polar opposite. Each forkful seemed to melt in my mouth, expressing pure milky goodness. Served with some fresh salad greens and a drizzle of olive oil, this dish was a great expression of summertime dining in Italy.
Tradizionale vitello tonnato
Vitello tonnato is inescapable in Piemonte. Most renditions tend to have larger cuts of sliced veal, but Tre Galli’s was a bit more refined, with smaller, more delicate cuts of veal, topped with a thick and creamy tuna sauce and a fancy little caper berry—big yum!
Spaghetti al pesto di pistacchio
The Italians really know how to make pasta exciting! The al dente noodles were coated in a salty but sweet pistachio pesto and topped with citrus-marinated tuna tartare for an added burst of freshness.
Tagliatelle con cozze e 'nduja
Summer and seafood go hand and hand, so naturally this tagliatelle dish just made sense. Slightly spicy thanks to the ‘nduja sausage, the dish was teeming with meaty muscles, chunks of fresh tomatoes and chopped green olives.
Sottofiletto di vitello e olio alla cenere
Grilled until just barely medium-rare, these veal steaks were served with a side of roasted potatoes and a drizzle of ash-infused olive oil for a bit of depth and build on the already smokey steaks—carnivores rejoice!
Overall, good bang for your buck, great (natural) wine selection, and above all else, awesome ambiance. And should you want to extend your evening, it’s nice and close to a bunch of bars like my personal favorite, Smile Tree. Now you know where to go the next time that a craving for Piemontese fare (with a flair) strikes!