27 May Too Many Cooks
Bologna is world famous for its delicious ragu and homemade pasta. One cannot take 2 steps without encountering a hole in the wall ristaurante that is family owned and operated and filled with local Italians dinning on savory fare at nine o’clock at night. Everything about the cuisine is done with such taste and skill that food is considered an art. La Traviata was a ten minute walk from the hotel, and from the look of it, it fulfilled the expectations I had formed to sort out the tourist traps from the genuine eateries. Our group was greeted as genially as a native, and answered our questions with no problem. There were pictures on a wall to our right that showed the woman who was taking our order hand rolling the tortelloni, and we deducted that she was the owner. After a quick read through of the menu in English, we placed orders of different dishes, with the intention to share. Our plates arrived steaming and fresh, with pieces of fried Parmesan cheese with it. After we all had a bite of each other’s dish, I could not help myself quick enough to the most flavorful and divine meal that I’ve had. From the cappuccinos brewed with love that is evident in the heart shaped foam to the handformed tortelloni rolled everyday from scratch, it is no wonder that Bologna is seen as the best place in Italy to eat.
