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Lunch stop on drive from Bologna to Brescello?
Thanks, Jen, but Viadana is also too far away. At this point I'm considering Ristorante Locanda Stendhal just north of Colorno. Looks promising and may be our only real option (not wanting to stop in Parma proper on this day). As for Due Platani, it seems it used to be open on Monday, lunch only, but now sadly is not (I called).
Lunch stop on drive from Bologna to Brescello?
Allende, thank you so much for your very prompt response (and I apologize for my tardy one). I had actually already thought of these places (having read the wonderful reviews by you and others on this board) but unfortunately, they are too far out of our way for our purposes (and the latter closed on Monday which is when we will be there). That said, however, we have revised our bike ride. We are now driving from Bologna to Colorno and riding from there to (roughly) Coenzo. Al Vedal in Colorno looked good for lunch but, alas, they too are closed on Monday. Even my first choice for lunch (and only a LITTLE out of the way), the wonderful Ai Due Platani, is closed for lunch on Mondays now! If you or anyone have any ideas for a place open Monday lunch in the area of Colorno (or anywhere on the way from Bologna) would very much appreciate it.
Lunch stop on drive from Bologna to Brescello?
We'll be driving from Bologna to Brescello (for a bike ride along the Po) and would love to find a great stop for lunch, either along the way or in or around Brescello. One of those wonderful E-R countryside trattorias (simple is fine) would be perfect, but can't seem to find anything that isn't totally out of the way. Hope you chime in, Allende. After taking your advise on the "hidden gem," Pre de Costa, in the Dolomites last year, and thoroughly enjoying it, I would be most grateful for your recommendations (if you have any). Grazie mille!
Mozza Cookbook's Ragu Bolognese
Yes, Jen -- you caramelize the soffritto for this recipe, and then use only SOME of the finished product (which is almost like a marmalade when done correctly) in the Bolognese recipe (you can freeze the leftovers for next time or for other dishes in Nancy's book), so you definitely don't have 2 cups of olive oil in the recipe (or even 1 if doing half recipe). The second time I attempted it (successfully, watching veggies carefully near the end), the result was AMAZING (I knew Nancy couldn't go that far wrong). Though this, of course, is not the traditional way of making the soffritto for ragu alla Bolognese, it added an incredible layer of flavor -- both rich and delicate at the same time (as Nancy says), and SLIGHTLY sweet. Time-consuming, yes, but it ended up being one of the best and most satifying ragus I've ever made. (Did not use canned tomato paste: "Amore" in the tube, though Nancy recommends Mutti [also in a tube]).
Parma = Foodie Paradise
Another vote for Ai due Platani. We had tortelli all over Emilia Romagna and theirs was by far the best (which is saying quite a lot). Simply amazing.
Mozza Cookbook's Ragu Bolognese
Beignets, I was very excited about making this ragu (hadn't seen your post yet but love Mozza and recently got the cookbook; the Bolognese recipe sounded amazing). I decided to do just the soffritto tonight since, as you know, that's quite a project. I followed the recipe to the letter (not difficult) except reduced it by half. I wasn't ready to risk 2 cups of my good extra virgin olive oil on the untried. And thank God! Round about 1.5 hour point, my veggies VERY suddenly went from deeply carmelized with ALMOST but not quite the "melted" look she (Nancy) describes in the recipe, to black, crispy and utterly burnt-looking!! Heartbroken and in shock I tasted nevertheless and of course it's not good. And, in fact, I would definitely describe the taste as slightly bitter. So -- not sure if your soffritto got "overdone" like mine (or even just slightly), but if so, perhaps this is where the bitter flavor came from? Can't imagine where else.
Anyway, can't tell you all how bummed I am to have blown it with this recipe so quickly (and at great time and expense). Do you think I should have reduced the cooking time by half since I was only making a half recipe? I did make sure to keep the heat no higher (and often less) than medium per the recipe, and used a heavy-weight All-Clad saute pan. If anyone else has any insight, thoughts or has made this recipe (with or without success) I would so appreciate hearing from you.
looking for an old fashioned tomato soup recipe-- like Clementine serves
Agree! This is the best tomato soup EVER. Would love the recipe!
Dining recs in Trentino/Alto Adige?
Allende, lunch the other day at Pre de Costa was our best meal of the trip so far. Absolutely amazing. Can't thank you enough!
Dining recs in Trentino/Alto Adige?
Thank you, good to know! I hate that. Any experience with the restaurant at Hotel Cornelio?
Dining recs in Trentino/Alto Adige?
Thank you! Will avoid those places. Tivoli sounds wonderful but is probably more than we want to spend on this trip. Will definitely check out Baita Fraina, though. Have also heard good things about Al Camin (for trattoria fare). Have you been?
Dining recs in Trentino/Alto Adige?
Allende, grazie mille! Thank you for taking the time to check for me on the Tuesday thing (yay! open!) then writing such a wonderfully helpful post (which made me hungry). Can't wait to be there! Any dining recs for Cortina (not TOO pricey)? Enjoy the rest of your time in this gorgeous area!
Dining recs in Trentino/Alto Adige?
Allende, we will be in the area of Pre de Costa Tuesday, July 12 - lunch time. I believe I read in another post that it's closed on Tuesdays. Please tell me not so!
Also, if you or anyone has any recs for dinner around Castelrotto would very much appreciate.
Dining recs in Trentino/Alto Adige?
I can highly recommend Il Libertino. We had lunch there and loved it.
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Il Libertino
Piazza Piedicastello,4, Trent, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol , IT
Santorini & Mykonos - suggestions?
I second the votoe for Red Bicycle in Oia. It was so good we ate there three times in the four days we were on the island. And the view from the terrace is heart-stopping.
Your favorite simple, yet AWESOME, dish at an LA eatery?
Tuna melt sandwich at Clementine. The best ever.
recommendations in Innsbruck...
I will be there too and I'm looking for the same. Particularly a place for dinner on New Year's Eve with great (romantic if possible) ambience but not too, too expensive. Thank you!
Rome: where is all the good food!
We had a wonderful meal at Vecchia Roma (Via della Tribuna di Campitelli). I read about it in "City Secrets Rome" (a wonderful little book you must check out if you haven't already) and it didn't disappoint. If you're out and about and want to grab a quick bite for lunch, I had one of the best sandwiches of my life at a little shop directly to the right of the Pantheon as you face it. Sorry I can't remember the name but it's incredible! Have fun.
Santa Monica Breakfast
Love Patrick's Roadhouse. Prefer Bread and Porridge over Snug Harbor. Blueberry Country Kitchen is also fantastic but haven't been there in a few years. May've closed (I'm having trouble accessing their website). Cafe Montana (on Montana) also great (for lunch, too).
Tuscany Vinyard visits. [Moved from Wine]
Last summer my boyfriend and I took a day-long cycling tour in the Chianti (we were staying in Florence) that included stops at three wineries for tasting. The scenery was spectacular, our guide Marco was wonderful, patient and lots of fun and it ended up being our most memorable experience during our two weeks in Italy. You can get all the info on the ibiketuscany.com website.
