Trip report: Mostly Food Notes in Tuscany (with florence) and Bologna
Jan 25th, 2016, 04:42 PM
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Based on our experience last summer, we can say that Ristorante Da Cesari remains an excellent restaurant. We had visited several years ago, and we were delighted to meet "nonna" (grandmother). She looked just like my paternal grandmother and seemed flattered by the comparison. She was very enthusiastic about some of the dishes that were made with the latest shipment of porcini mushrooms, and we were not at all disappointed in what we tried. Last summer (2015), we met her grandson, who now has a leading role in the restaurant. We were pleased to see the same mix of local regulars and tourists that we had observed several years before. The grandson spoke to us for a while about the restaurant's attempt to serve as much locally sourced food as possible. The veal with truffles was a magnificent example of a fairly simple but exquisite locally sourced dish.
On our second night in Bologna we dined at Cesarina. We had also eaten there on our visit several years ago. Cesarina is more formal than Da Cesari, with service that is almost a bit stuffy. However, the location on the Piazza Santo Stefano (where there is often outdoor music on summer evenings) can cut through any formality, as there is always a lively atmosphere. I'd rate the food just a shade below Da Cesari, although there is more variety, and they have a gift for working with squat blossoms. Because the view of the Piazza and the vista down along the porticos on Via Santo Stefano is so splendid, it is an ideal place to linger with an after dinner grappa.
Both restaurants are still going strong! Early evening aperitifs at Osteria del Sole (Vicolo Rannocchi, near Piazza Maggiore) are also a great way to start any evening in Bologna.
On our second night in Bologna we dined at Cesarina. We had also eaten there on our visit several years ago. Cesarina is more formal than Da Cesari, with service that is almost a bit stuffy. However, the location on the Piazza Santo Stefano (where there is often outdoor music on summer evenings) can cut through any formality, as there is always a lively atmosphere. I'd rate the food just a shade below Da Cesari, although there is more variety, and they have a gift for working with squat blossoms. Because the view of the Piazza and the vista down along the porticos on Via Santo Stefano is so splendid, it is an ideal place to linger with an after dinner grappa.
Both restaurants are still going strong! Early evening aperitifs at Osteria del Sole (Vicolo Rannocchi, near Piazza Maggiore) are also a great way to start any evening in Bologna.
