Turin / Baratti & Milano: home of cremino

Very few cities in Italy (and in the world) can boast a number of historic bars like Turin.

The reason for that is that Turin was one of the most active centers in Italy, especially during the 19th century: capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, then hub of the Italian Risorgimento and finally, after King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed King of Italy, first capital of the unified Kingdom from 1861 to 1864.

The beauty and the political and cultural activism are clearly visible in the streets and buildings of this elegant and austere city from Piazza Castello to Piazza San Carlo, passing through Piazza Statuto and Piazza Solferino.

In one of the corners of Piazza Castello, for example, connecting Piazza Castello and Via Cesare Battisti, you will find Galleria Subalpina, an astonishingly beautiful gallery built in 1873 by Pietro Carrera using a mix of new-Renaissance and new-Baroque style, now hosting fascinating antique book shops.

Few steps away from the Gallery, the iron-framed glass doors of Baratti & Milano, the historical bar founded in 1858 (and moved to the current location in 1875) by Ferdinando Baratti and Edoardo Milano.

It took very little for these 2 young men to spread their sweets and liquors around and becoming one of the most popular and important bar in Turin and supplier of the Royal Court.

Among the must try is the cremino, a three-layer cube of pleasure with gianduja and a chocolate cream mixed with hazelnut, invented by Baratti. Perfect with espresso coffee, cremino is one of the most famous invention of the Italian pastry tradition.