Food &Wine Guide
- Home
- Single Blog
Food and Wine Guide
Known as the ‘Food Kitchen’ of the North, Emilia Romagna is the ideal holiday destination for food lovers. Bologna, “La Grassa” (the fat, the plentiful), is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and is thought by many to be the food capital of Italy.
Traditional Food
In Emilia-Romagna, each city has its own culinary gems contributing to the rich gastronomic heritage of the region.
- Reggio Emilia: Recognized for Erbazzone, Cappelletti, and Reggiano Lambrusco.
- Bologna: Known for Bolognese Sauce (Ragù alla Bolognese) and dishes like Tortellini and Tagliatelle al Ragu.
- Parma: Famous for Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Culatello.
- Modena: Renowned for Balsamic Vinegar (Aceto Balsamico di Modena), Tortellini di Zucca, and Lambrusco Wine.
Wine and cocktails
Italy is renowned for its rich and diverse wine and cocktail culture. On the Emilia side of the Emilia Romagna region, the most popular wine is undoubtedly Lambrusco. As a red sparkling wine, it stands out as an exception in Italy, but with its distinct and unique flavor, it has become one of the most beloved wines among locals and tourists alike.
On the Appennini you can also find a lot of Toscano (“wine from Tuscany”) which is the classic still red wine, loved by the older locals here.
The cocktails are a lot cheaper than the rest of Europe and usually more straightforward. Here are some of the most popular ones.
- Negroni:Ingredients: Campari, gin, sweet vermouth.
Aperol Spritz:Ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, soda water.
- Martini: ingredients: Gin or vodka, dry vermouth.
- Americano: Ingredients: Campari, sweet vermouth, soda water.
Near Villa Bonicelli
Even the Appennino has its own gems. Here are some of the best restaurants and bars you can find near Villa Bonicelli
- Osteria del Maggio: young and fun atmosphere, the menu’ is highly seasonal, beautiful view of the valley (Costabona)
- Il Malpasso: rural and authentic atmosphere, they recently started doing their pizza (Monzone)
- Al Ciocco: the owner and main chef is definitely world class (Farneta)
- Honky Tonk Café: the owner Thomas, is a gin expert and an incredible bartender (Farneta)
All of them are restaurants except the Honky Tonk. It is highly recommended to book some hours in advance in order to avoid the risk of finding the restaurants completely full