Source of Comfort

Marcella Hazan via Educated Palate: Giuliano & Lael Hazan's Blog

Marcella Hazan is my hero in the kitchen. (I daydream of a book-then-movie called 'Bridget and Marcella' starring Cate Blanchett and Isabella Rosselini). Her book, Essentials of Italian Cooking, is the most important book in my house - and there are an unbelievable amount of books in my house. When I need to center myself, I make a cup of tea, choose a Marcella recipe at random, then read her careful instructions over and over. I find comfort in her wisdom and in her confidence. Marcella is from a small town in Emilia-Romagna, and she is a stickler about adhering to the region’s time-honored traditions. I love that about her. I allow her instructions to transport me to another time and place, where flour, eggs, and ingredients from the backyard garden or the farm next door were all that were needed.

Memorable Meals

I'm often asked for restaurant recommendations in Bologna. Okay - maybe not often - but, you know, like, at least twice a year I get that question. In any case, I love to share my favorites. 

The first is La Bottega di Franco. It's a magical place just outside the center of town where my husband and I had our wedding dinner. As weddings go, ours was on the small side: Just the 2 of us plus one parent each to serve as witnesses. We arrived at 8pm and had a private table for four in the garden. We left at 1am, after countless courses of the most delicious food on earth. I remember that there were no menus that night... only our server asking "What would you like to eat this evening?" 

My second favorite is Trattoria da Vito. They don't have a website (and I seriously doubt they ever will). The waiters had an air of complete ambivalence, although sometimes they were just downright annoyed or angry.  The atmosphere of the room was reminiscent of a 1970s carport - fluorescent lights and all. Our favorite 'quirk' of the place was that they wouldn't give you a glass for water AND a glass for wine. You only got one glass. It was up to you what to put in it. But, the food! Oh, the food. Heavenly handmade tortelloni, light-as-air lasagne, and perfectly roasted stinco di maiale. And all at ridiculously reasonable prices. I dream of this place and can't wait to go back....

La Bottega di Franco

Via Agucchi 112  

40131 Bologna Italy

Trattoria da Vito 

Via Mario Musolesi 14 

40138 Bologna Italy