Things to know about Monferrato

Restaurants

Italians LOVE for you to make reservations. They often buy food and staff for the number of people they have on the books, so it is a good idea to book in advance. Even if you call a few minutes prior to when you want to go, they appreciate it. This area is somewhat rural, so it is a good idea to think about your meals ahead of time. Your hotel is also a great resource for making reservations for you or recommending places. You can also reach out to Heidi if you need help with booking something. Google maps is great for hunting around for restaurants, but we have found that the reviews are generally very off.  We have had much better luck ignoring ratings and instead looking at the pictures. Your eyes know what is delicious. The food quality and wine in this region is very good, we have thrown a dart in the dark many times and left full and completely dazzled.

Breakfast: is not a thing in Italy, they tend to have a croissant (called a “brioche” in much of northern Italy) or a cookie and a cappuccino. Milk in coffee = breakfast. Italians believe it is not good for your health to have milk in your coffee after 11am. But a cig with an espresso is LIVING. Most villages have a little coffee bar. Vignale has two, Cafe della Pesa and the Caffetteria.

Lunch: seatings start at noon and go until 2pm. Restaurants are closed between 3 and 7pm. Most shops are as well.  Some bars are still open and serve coffee, drinks, and sometimes a bag of chips, but really pickings are SLIM during this witching hour. 

Aperitivo: The Italian happy hour. Generally between 5-7pm people have a glass of wine, a campari and soda,or a beer and some small nibbles. These can range from robust and outrageous snacks you could mistake as a meal, to just potato chips and peanuts. People often think of tomato as being the quintessential taste of italy, but I think it might more accurately be the salty lays potato chip. Befriend him.

Dinner: seatings are between 7.30-9:30pm. Do not be surprised if the server encourages you to have the last bite of something on the plate. Food is a precious resource and they are also very invested in you enjoying your food and will worry that you didn’t like what they made. Do not be shy about having the last bite of anything! 

Everywhere in Europe they use the 24hr system, so be prepared when they ask you for confirmation of a desired time and say thirteen or twenty, rather than the 1pm or 8pm you requested.

Water is not included! You either order acqua gasata (sparkling) or naturale (still.) Costs anywhere from 1.50 to 3.50 EUR per bottle.
The tap water (acqua di rubinetto) in Vignale is absolutely fine to drink, as it is almost everywhere in Italy, but it isn’t customary to drink it and often not served. Initial question in any restaurant, is usually, if you want still or sparkling for the table, as soon as you sit down.

This is a rural and relaxed setting. Many people dress well for a meal out because it is a pleasure, but you don’t need to feel pressured anywhere you go here to dress a certain way. It will be harvest season and you will see many vineyard workers with purple paws and jeans mixed into the crowd.

Mastercard and Visa are taken most places, Amex is less popular. Whenever possible, especially in smaller family owned establishments, it is very appreciated to pay in cash. Always expect to pay in cash for small things like coffee or at farmers markets.

Groceries

There is a big grocery store called Gulliver’s between Vignale and Alta Villa. They are open from 9am-8pm continuously. EXCEPT on Sunday- when they close at 1pm. If you are arriving on a sunday: buy snacks ahead of time.  Each village also usually has a small bodega (these will also not be open on Sunday afternoons.). Vignale has two, one is attached to Caffetteria and the other is at Piazza Mezzadra, 5. 

ATMs

Intesa Sanpaolo is a bank on the Piazza del Popolo in Vignale that has an ATM. Most post offices (Poste Italiane) also have ATMs. Unicredit is another bank name to look for, when trying to find an ATM. It is generally advised to decline the offered conversion at ATM’s when you withdraw euros as the quoted rate is higher.

Pharmacy

There is a small pharmacy in Vignale at Via Roma, 8. It is open most days from 8:30am-12:30 and from 3:30-7:30pm. It is closed on Sundays and Thursday afternoons.

Be advised that even the most simple things like an Asprin or band aids are NOT sold anywhere else BUT at a pharmacy in Italy. Supermarkets do not sell medications. Be aware that a “Para Farmacia” specializes in alternative and often highly overpriced medications. Only a regular Farmacia sells most brand names you are familiar with. 

Taxi/Uber/Transportation

Non esiste! as the Italians would say. This area is extremely rural and there are no car share services or taxis. While there is a bus that goes to Vignale, it runs on a schedule more suited for getting people to and from work. Fortunately, all the locations we have on our schedule are close by, a brisk 45 minute walk at worst, and since there are so many of you beautiful people all in one place, we think it will all work out. Rental cars at the airports are inexpensive and we do recommend having one. Driving in this part of Italy is easy, especially with Google maps. If there is anybody without transportation, there are "black car" type "driver services", but they are by arrangement only and not inexpensive. Transfers from the train stations in Asti and Alessandria run about 100 EUR, the airports more in the 200-300 EUR range.