Tag: Emilia Romagna

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Where to Buy and Indulge in Mortadella in Bologna

Bologna, the culinary heart of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is not only the birthplace of mortadella but also the best place to experience this iconic delicacy. Whether you’re looking to buy some of the finest mortadella or indulge in a unique mortadella experience, Bologna has you covered. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best spots to buy and enjoy mortadella in Bologna, as well as information on the must-visit Mortadella Please Festival in nearby Zola Predosa.

1. Salumeria Simoni

  • Address: Via Drapperie, 5/2a, Bologna
  • Description: Located in the bustling Quadrilatero market area, Salumeria Simoni is a historic deli known for its top-quality salumi, including mortadella. Established in 1960, it’s a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike. The shop also offers creative mortadella-based sandwiches like the “Tortellino di pane,” making it a delightful stop for both shopping and snacking​(Do Bianchi).

2. Tamburini

  • Address: Via Caprarie, 1, Bologna
  • Description: A historic name in Bologna’s food scene, Tamburini has been around since 1860. This deli offers a wide selection of cured meats, including some of the best mortadella in the city. Alongside its famous fresh pasta, Tamburini is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience traditional Bolognese flavors​(Do Bianchi).

3. Mò Mortadella Lab

  • Address: Via de’ Monari, 1C, Bologna
  • Description: A modern and trendy spot, Mò Mortadella Lab is famous for its gourmet mortadella sandwiches. Known for its innovative approach, this eatery is popular among locals and tourists looking for a contemporary twist on this classic delicacy​(Do Bianchi).

4. La Baita Vecchia Malga

  • Address: Via Pescherie Vecchie, 3a, Bologna
  • Description: Located in the historic Mercato di Mezzo, La Baita Vecchia Malga offers a wide range of local delicacies, including mortadella. This shop is perfect for those looking to pair their purchase with other regional specialties while enjoying the vibrant market atmosphere​(Do Bianchi).

5. Bruno e Franco – La Salumeria Bologna

  • Address: Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 16a, Bologna
  • Description: Established in 1985, Bruno e Franco is a beloved salumeria under the porticoes of Via Oberdan. It’s known for its wide selection of salumi, cheeses, and fresh pasta, making it a top choice for those looking to buy authentic mortadella and other traditional products​(Do Bianchi).

6. Mortadella Shop – Prodotti della Tradizione

  • Address: Viale Pietro Pietramellara, 61/E, Bologna
  • Description: Conveniently located near the train station, this shop offers a variety of traditional Bolognese products, with a focus on mortadella. It’s an excellent spot for a quick purchase or to grab a bite before exploring more of the city​(Do Bianchi).

7. ArtigianQuality

  • Address: Via Caduti di Cefalonia, 2b, Bologna
  • Description: Run by the Scapin family, ArtigianQuality is known for producing some of the best mortadella in Bologna. They offer two types: the traditional “Sette Chiese” and one made from Mora Romagnola pork. Their commitment to excellence makes this shop a top destination for mortadella connoisseurs​(bologna4you-english).

8. Ceccarelli Amedeo Gastronomia Bologna

  • Address: Via Pescherie Vecchie, 8a, Bologna
  • Description: Also located in the vibrant Mercato di Mezzo area, Ceccarelli Amedeo offers a variety of Italian food products with a strong emphasis on mortadella. It’s a great place to explore different flavors and pick up some gourmet treats​(Do Bianchi).

9. RoManzo (Zivieri)

  • Address: Mercato di Mezzo, Bologna
  • Description: Part of the famous Zivieri butcher’s group, RoManzo in Mercato di Mezzo offers some of the finest salumi, including mortadella. This shop is known for its high-quality meats and is a great place to buy or sample mortadella in a lively market setting​(Do Bianchi).

10. Mortadella Please Festival

  • Location: Zola Predosa, Bologna (about 12 km from Bologna city center)
  • Dates: October 11-13, 2024
  • Description: The Mortadella Please Festival is an annual celebration dedicated to mortadella, held in Zola Predosa, just outside Bologna. This three-day event features tastings, cooking demonstrations, and guided tours of mortadella production facilities like Alcisa and Felsineo. The festival is a must-visit for food enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy mortadella in its birthplace while participating in various culinary activities​(Mortadella Please,Emilia Romagna Turismo,Bologna Welcome).

How to Get to Zola Predosa for the Festival

  • By Train: Take a regional train from Bologna Centrale to Zola Predosa station (15-minute journey).
  • By Bus: Use the Line 94 bus from Bologna (approximately 30 minutes).
  • By Car: Zola Predosa is about a 20-minute drive from Bologna. Parking is typically available near the festival site, but arriving early is recommended​(Taste Bologna,Emilia Romagna Turismo).

This guide offers a complete look at where to buy, taste, and truly experience mortadella in Bologna, whether you’re browsing historic delis or attending the vibrant Mortadella Please Festival.

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Forget Parma Ham: In Bologna, Buy, Eat, and Visit Mortadella

When it comes to Italian cured meats, Parma ham, or prosciutto di Parma, often steals the limelight with its delicate flavor and international fame. However, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna lies another culinary treasure that deserves just as much attention, if not more: Mortadella di Bologna. This iconic pink-hued sausage, studded with white cubes of fat, is more than just a cold cut—it’s a symbol of Bologna’s rich gastronomic heritage. If you’re planning a trip to Bologna, here’s why you should make mortadella your priority, from buying and tasting to exploring its production.

The Origin and Significance of Mortadella

Mortadella has a storied history that dates back to the Renaissance. Originally a delicacy reserved for the nobility, its recipe has evolved over centuries. The term “mortadella” is believed to be derived from the Latin word mortarium, referring to the mortar and pestle that were once used to grind the meat​(

bologna4you-english). Today, mortadella is protected by the European Union’s Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) status, ensuring that only products made in a specific manner and within designated areas can bear the name “Mortadella di Bologna”​(

bologna4you-english).

Where to Buy Mortadella in Bologna

Bologna is dotted with historic delis and markets where you can buy high-quality mortadella. Some of the must-visit spots include:

  • Salumeria Simoni: Located in the Quadrilatero area, this historic deli has been serving top-notch salumi since 1960. Simoni offers a variety of mortadella, including innovative sandwiches like the “Tortellino di pane,” a focaccia stuffed with mortadella​(Do Bianchi).
  • Tamburini: Another historic name in Bologna’s food scene, Tamburini has been around since 1860. Alongside its famous fresh pasta, the deli offers an extensive selection of cured meats, including some of the best mortadella in the city​(Do Bianchi).
  • Mò Mortadella Lab: For a modern take, visit Mò Mortadella Lab, a popular spot known for its gourmet mortadella sandwiches. This trendy eatery puts a creative spin on traditional mortadella, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike​(Do Bianchi).

Where to Eat Mortadella in Bologna

While you can enjoy mortadella in various forms—sliced thin in sandwiches, diced into cubes for antipasti, or even blended into a mousse—Bologna offers some unique experiences:

  • FICO Eataly World: At this expansive food theme park, you can not only buy and eat mortadella but also watch it being made. The Mortadella Bar at FICO offers a behind-the-scenes look at the production process, along with tastings of various mortadella-based dishes​(Wanderlog).
  • La Baita Vecchia Malga: Located in the bustling Mercato di Mezzo, this eatery is perfect for trying traditional mortadella alongside other regional specialties. Pair your meal with a glass of Lambrusco for the full Bolognese experience​(Do Bianchi).

Visiting Mortadella Production

For those deeply interested in the art of making mortadella, Bologna offers unique opportunities to witness the process firsthand:

  • Mortadella, Please Festival: Held annually in Zola Predosa, just outside Bologna, this festival is dedicated to celebrating mortadella. Visitors can enjoy tastings, cooking demonstrations, and guided tours of leading mortadella producers like Alcisa and Felsineo​(Bologna Welcome).
  • FICO Eataly World: As mentioned, FICO offers a more hands-on experience, where you can see how mortadella is produced in a recreated laboratory setting. This is a great option for families or anyone interested in the intricacies of food production​(Wanderlog).

Why Mortadella Deserves the Spotlight

While Parma ham is often lauded for its delicate, nuanced flavors, mortadella offers a different, equally compelling experience. Its rich, savory taste, complemented by the aromatic spices and creamy fat cubes, makes it a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Moreover, mortadella is deeply rooted in Bologna’s culinary culture, offering a more localized and authentic taste of the region.

Conclusion

So, the next time you find yourself in Bologna, set aside your usual prosciutto and immerse yourself in the world of mortadella. Whether you’re buying it from a historic deli, savoring it in a gourmet sandwich, or learning about its production, mortadella is more than just a sausage—it’s a taste of Bologna’s soul.

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A Gastronomic Journey: Unveiling Bologna’s Best Trattorias

Bologna, the culinary heart of Italy, is a city that takes its food seriously. From the bustling city center to the quaint narrow streets, every corner of Bologna offers a unique gastronomic experience. This article will take you on a journey through some of the city’s best trattorias, where you can savor authentic Bolognese cuisine.

Trattoria Anna Maria

Located in the university area, Trattoria Anna Maria has been a reference point for locals and tourists for over 30 years. The restaurant’s simple and pleasant atmosphere is complemented by its fresh pasta dishes, which some claim to be the best in the city. Be sure to try their green tagliatelle, tortelloni with butter and sage, and oven-baked lasagna.

Trattoria Da Me

This trattoria, which won a local episode of the popular Italian reality show “4 ristoranti,” is known for its traditional, local food. Here, you can find some of the best tortellini and lasagna in town, along with delicious crescentine. The restaurant also offers creative reinterpretations of traditional dishes, such as pumpkin savory mini-cake with balsamic vinegar, parmesan cream, and amaretto wafer.

Trattoria Bertozzi

Located on Via Andrea Costa, where the city of Bologna blends into the almost Apennine outskirts, Trattoria Bertozzi is the realm of chef Fabio Berti and maître Alessandro Gozzi. The restaurant, which was built on high-quality ingredients and respect for tradition, offers dishes like Gramigna Bertozzi with guanciale, zucchini, saffron, and flakes of Parmigiano Reggiano, and old-fashioned meatballs with peas.

Taverna del Postiglione

Tucked away between Via Marchesana and Via De Toschi, Taverna del Postiglione offers a warm interior and a menu that features traditional fresh pasta with local classics like lasagna, tagliatelle, and tortelloni. The restaurant also offers vegetarian tortellini on a bed of pumpkin cream and “castagne” (fresh pasta filled with braised meat with a reduction of balsamic).

Trattoria dell’Autotreno

A hidden gem just outside Porta San Felice, Trattoria dell’Autotreno offers a pleasantly rustic atmosphere and a concise but carefully curated menu. After the house appetizer – fried crescentina with prosciutto – you can enjoy a bis or tris of first courses, their famous Bolognese-style cutlet, and exquisite desserts.

Trattoria Boni

The story of Trattoria Boni began in 1950 when the courageous Irma, a war widow, opened a delicatessen on her own. The trattoria, now run by her grandchildren, specializes in Traditional Balsamic Vinegar produced in the family’s vinegar factory. Try the garganelli or the scaloppine with vinegar, which also accompanies the cream ice cream.

Trattoria Zita

An institution in the city since 1940, Trattoria Zita offers traditional Emilian cuisine in a genuine and philological manner. The pasta is homemade, the vegetarian proposals strictly follow the seasonality, and the wines are from the territory. Every day a different menu, maintaining in the menu the classics like tagliatelle with ragù or roast pork loin.

Trattoria da Vito

Trattoria da Vito is a legendary Bolognese restaurant. A few decades ago, it was the favorite hangout of personalities like Francesco Guccini and Lucio Dalla, who would spend their late nights here playing guitar and drinking wine. Today, the restaurant maintains its rustic charm, offering generous portions and traditional recipes. One standout dish is the chicken cacciatore.

Trattoria Bertozzi

Located on Via Andrea Costa, where the city of Bologna blends into the almost Apennine outskirts, Trattoria Bertozzi is the realm of chef Fabio Berti and maître Alessandro Gozzi. The restaurant, which was built on high-quality ingredients and respect for tradition, offers dishes like Gramigna Bertozzi with guanciale, zucchini, saffron, and flakes of Parmigiano Reggiano, and old-fashioned meatballs with peas.

Cantina Bentivoglio

A classic hub for live jazz music, this large underground restaurant offers solid, traditional food. Handmade fresh pasta is the star here, with an array of tortelloni, tortellacci, and tagliatelle, as well as meaty “secondi” (main courses).

Antica Trattoria Spiga

A bit off the beaten path, nestled on the small, long Via Broccaindosso, this tiny trattoria has a very nice selection of comfort food. The appetizer menu is rich in fried treats, from zucchini flowers filled with cheese to salted codfish fritters, while the homemade fresh pasta list has local classics such as “gramigna con salsiccia” and tagliatelle with ragù.

Conclusion

Bologna offers a unique culinary experience that goes beyond just eating. It’s about understanding the culture, the traditions, and the passion that goes into every dish. So, whether you’re a food enthusiast or just a curious traveler, a visit to these trattorias in Bologna is an experience you won’t forget.

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Discovering the Culinary Capital: A Food Tour in Bologna

Bologna, often referred to as “The Fat City,” is a haven for food lovers worldwide. Its rich culinary history, combined with a passion for traditional cooking methods, makes it the food capital of Italy. This article will take you on a virtual food tour, highlighting the city’s gastronomic delights and the unique experiences it offers.

A Taste of Authenticity

In Bologna, food is more than just sustenance; it’s a way of life. The city is renowned for its authentic recipes, traditional cooking methods, and high-quality local produce. From the bustling city centre to the quaint narrow streets, every corner of Bologna offers a unique gastronomic experience.

The Unforgettable Food Tour

A food tour in Bologna is a must for any foodie. It’s a journey through the city’s most loved and historical venues, offering a memorable food and wine trip. The tour provides an insight into the city’s culture and traditions, and the chance to sample regional produce for which Emilia Romagna is famous.

The Pasta Obsession

Bologna’s obsession with pasta is well-known. The city prides itself on its fresh, handmade pasta, with traditional recipes passed down through generations. Whether it’s tortellini or tagliatelle, the pasta in Bologna is a culinary delight that shouldn’t be missed.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar Experience

A trip to the countryside of Emilia Romagna offers a unique opportunity to discover the region’s food excellences. Meet the food artisans and taste their fantastic produce, including Parmigiano Reggiano, local wine, and Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP.

Cooking Class in Bologna

What better city than Bologna to learn how to make fresh pasta? Making the dough from scratch, rolling it with the rolling pin, and preparing traditional pasta dishes according to Bolognese tradition is an experience not to be missed. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn a new skill.

Conclusion

Bologna offers a unique culinary experience that goes beyond just eating. It’s about understanding the culture, the traditions, and the passion that goes into every dish. So, whether you’re a food enthusiast or just a curious traveler, a food tour in Bologna is an experience you won’t forget.