It is that perfect season of the year when you would like to spend all of your time outside, savoring the first sun, the air still fresh, the smile on people’s faces. Let’s say it: the atmosphere is mellow, the vibe is nice and happy. So, shiny happy people, since we are in a Country … More Aperitivo en plein air: 5 urban locations with a view
If you’re looking for the hip place, the “place to be” or the latest in town, you’re not necessarily interested in this post. However, if you’re into seriously good food, seriously served wine and a decadent aperitivo, read on. Gamberini is one of those rare places that never changed with time. It has been there … More Would you like a canapé? Aperitivo at Gamberini is an exquisite experience
Let’s open a new series that I’ll just call “Little places I love”. Or #littleplacesIlove if you like. Lestofante is small and yes I love it. If we were in Holland I’d say it’s gezelling, a wonderful dutch term that summarizes a bouquet of feelings: “cosy”, “intimate”, “welcoming”, “convivial”. You get the idea. Not properly a … More Little places I love: Lestofante is an experience of cosyness
«I visited Disneyland and Disneyworld and wasn’t snobbish about it, unlike most fellow Italians». This declaration from FICO’s (and Eataly’s) founder Oscar Farinetti, at the press preview of its new brainchild on a gloomy november morning, tells a lot about the style and spirit of this massive theme park on the outskirts of Bologna. Just … More Cool or not? Five reasons to visit FICO Eatalyworld
Luckily, Bologna has many farmers’ markets. The latest addition is in Piazza Aldrovandi, where from the beginning of october to the end of january a cosy, one-lined market takes place every sunday morning. With its bizarre shape – something in between a little piazza and a large street – this square named after collector … More Morning grace #2: Flowers ‘n fruits in Piazza Aldrovandi
Most people, especially tourists, usually walk from Piazza Maggiore to Le Due Torri and, once the photos de riguer have been taken, turn right, heading to Piazza Santo Stefano, left towards the former Ghetto, or take Via Zamboni to reach the University area. They hardly ever keep walking through Via San Vitale and that’s a … More Bars and crafts: Via Cladarese is the perfect place for lazy afternoons
Yesterday afternoon I was passing by Via Pescherie Vecchie. With its little bars with open air tables, serving lunch and dinner at any hour, it became the main hub for tourists and (improvised) foodies. I distinctly remember walking through it two summers ago, when tourism in Bologna was just starting to take off, the whole … More Keeping Bologna authentic? It’s up to you
«What are you giving me for free?», asks the man with socks into his slippers as he enters Bar Maurizio on a lazy august morning. «Have a croissant». «I’d like that pasta actually», nonchalantly replies the hungry man, pointing to a large bowl of just cooked pasta. «Sorry, can’t give you that». Then Maurizio waits … More Bologna’s Central Perk? Try Bar Maurizio
In a restaurant scene where veggie is still all too often synonym with improvisation or glamorization, it is refreshing to have finally found a place where you can eat green and healthy with very little expense and complete palatal satisfaction. Such place is in Via Mascarella, just two steps from Montagnola and the Uni, and … More Alchemilla Bio, they make me happy
If there ever was a place where a film festival is yet another occasion to talk about eating, well that was Bologna, aka City of food. So today there I was at the presentation of Biografilm Park, the series of events taking place alongside Biografilm Festival, and for the first half hour all you could … More Bologna The fat indeed: Biografilm Park is one more occasion to eat and discuss food
Flaneur in Bologna 