Lalibra
Via e. Pertinace
Alba (cn)
Tel: 0173 293155

Lalibra is in an old narrow street running parallel the main street Victor Emanuella and the outside is so understated it would be easy to walk past. But there is a menu and glass door that gives a peak of the pleasant minimalist interior. The tables and place setting belittle the aspirations of the chef. They even irreverently dump the bread on the table in front of your place. My first confusion was the man that looked like, and indeed was, the chef, wandering around taking orders. In fact Marco spends the evening doing that; taking as much interest in the front of house as the stoves when the restaurant is open. Of course there is nothing wrong with that: the art of good restaurant cooking always has been, and will always be, in the preparation, and the planning. From the small bar by the entrance it is possible to watch the goings on in the engine room and Marco flits in and does something and flits out: keeping a strict eye on the actions of the other two chefs.
Since trying to understand the Italian menu was successfully challenging my virtually nonexistent Italian I hailed the passing Marco. Always start at the top when you want info I say. He most helpfully pointed me in the right direction: directing me to some good new, to me, dishes.
Well the starter was not new, just now very unusual in the UK. I had essentially jellied eels. The eels were piled high and sat on a few refreshing fresh leaves including rocket.
For mains I had been directed to the stuffed lamb shank stuffed with the edible internal organs of the lamb. Again nicely presented with a smooth tasty stuffing. Fresh al dente veg lurked underneath and a good jus finished it off.
This was followed by a small selection of local cheese, and then a pleasant pud that included raspberries, panna cotta and strawberry ice cream. All I then needed was a grappa and expresso and short stagger home down the narrow streets of Alba. What I did not need was to find a bar called a pub with a few jolly people who happily sold me more grappa and few Leffe beers: a good night followed by a difficult morning