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Bologna: Da Gianni

Via Clavature 18 , Phone: 051 22 94 34

Closing day: Sunday night and Monday

Reviewed by: constance235 from USA, review #3183

When: 2009

As great as people say it is!

We had an absolutely wonderful Sunday lunch here (on a cold snowy day).

We shared the antipasta mista (culatella, fried polenta with soft melted cheese, bruschetta, toast with "fat," mousse of mortadella, omelet). Then I had lasagna verde forno ("Good choice," the waiter said): pasta too soft to believe. My husband had tortellini verde. This was the most tender pasta I have ever eaten.

We drank a bottle of sangiovese, and then shared a dessert of caffe mousse (with dark chocolate). Two cafes. It all came to about 60 euros. Amazingly rich experience. The restaurant was filled with Italian families, including two people who had sat at the table next to us the night before at Trattoria Tony and who were clearly "friends of the house."

Reviewed by: Jane from CA, review #2311

When: 2007

This is a friendly restaurant enjoyed by both Italians and tourists. English is well spoken here. The food is good if not spectacular.

Directions: The restaurant is on a little side street as you walk down Via Clavature.

I was disappointed in this restaurant after having read so many good reviews. The food was good but not unique or particularly special. I ordered lamb chops and was very disappointed when they came breaded. Ken enjoyed his pasta and meat dishes. The staff is very accommodating and friendly. It was not a leisurely meal as turning tables seemed to be important.

The restaurant seems to have been discovered by tourists as well over half of the diners were speaking English even though this was in February.

Reviewed by: Paul from Boston from MA, review #2114

When: 2006

Superb Bolognese cooking - don't miss it!

Directions: Down a small alley off of Via Clavature

Of all the restaurants we have eaten at in Bologna, this is the best, hands down. The restaurant is down a little alley off of via Clavature. The full name is "Da Gianni a la Vechia Bulagna". This place, mostly unknown by tourists, is wildly popular with the locals.

The cooking is traditional bolognese, with some modern twists. Tagliatelle alla ragu is a popular starter - tagliatelle pasta, the same shape as fettucine, but in Bologna it's egg noodle pasta, with ragu bolognese (meat sauce), and fresh parmiggiano reggiano grated on top. Indescribably good! Tortellini are native to the area as well, and appear in a number of dishes. The food here was simply well prepared, perfectly seasoned, and utterly fabulous. You MUST call for a reservation, especially for Saturday night (we couldn't get in when the hotel called on Saturday afternoon). The dessert special of the night was fresh pears poached in Alkermes (an herbal liqueur, which turns the pears bright red).

We ordered a bottle of Lambrusco with dinner. Lambrusco is the local wine of Emilia-Romagna. It's a fizzy red wine, and goes especially well with the food of the area, as it helps you to digest the rich, rich dishes!

I urge you to hurry to this restaurant the next time you are in or near Bologna, for an eating experience unlike any. Don't expect a fancy place - it's very plain inside. You won't find that it takes a large bit out of your wallet, either. Dinner for two was about €60-70. This was, without question, one of the BEST restarants in Italy at which we have ever eaten.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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