Bologna Hills Trattoria

Bologna, IT

Following our "Italian Days' food tour seeing how Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Traditional of Modena is made (both extremely amazing processes), we were taken deep into the hills of Bologna for a "light lunch." The countryside trattoria we went to was an unnamed local joint, so we were in for the real deal.

Local pignoletto sparking wine

We started off with way to much local Pignoletto sparkling wine, a nice, light, refreshing easy to drink wine.

"Candy" caramelle pasta, tomato, spinach, flour with beef filling, peas and fresh cream

The first pasta was a "Candy" caramelle, a first for us. It had a really nice al dente bite and great flavor, a filling with a savory salty kick, and our favorite pasta of the day.

Tortellini with fresh cream, beef, mortadella, prosciutto

The tortellini was tasty and fresh, Chu-toro enjoyed it more than the tortellini the night before. It was lighter, even though it had a meat based filling. The rich, fresh cream was surprisingly lighter than the butter sauce the night before.

Family mushrooms with tortilacci stuffed fresh ricotta and spinach

Our third pasta was another pasta shape I'd never seen or heard of before, similar to a large stuffed ravioli. The tortilacci was filled with fresh ricotta and spinach. The local fresh, earthy family mushrooms made it very tasty.

Lambrusco

The second round of wine was another easy to drink wine, a Lambresco, which we also drank too much of.

Grilled vegetables

Wild bore in tomato sauce

The bore was like a braised beef texture,fork cut tender, without any gamey flavor. A very simple, homey, well made secondi. 

Rosemary and garlic rabbit

Simply prepared in a pan with rosemary and garlic, the rabbit was very tender, not dry, but moist and flavorful. A classic Bolognese main.

Bread

Prosciutto

There were also plates or procuitto and salami wit Italian bread, which you are supposed to eat like a sandwich. The prosciutto was a little less dry than the previous night, but a little saltier, not bad, but not mind blowing. The salami was pretty salty and reminded us of salami from the states. We were totally stuffed and couldn't each much of it, but nice to have the variety. 

Sorbet

Next up were a pair of sorbets, first a limone sorbet, which came in a tall glass with a straw rather than a spoon as expected. It was a really great pallet cleanser, tart and refreshing.There was also a coffee and rum sorbet, which Chu-toro said tasted like bailys in coffee. It was also refreshing, both nice clean, cool drinks.

Espresso

We ended with a caffe, which means a small espresso shot that was
dark, rich, powerful coffee that you can't get in the states. I can't
handle strong coffees like this, but even I could appreciate the
flavor and richness here.

We really had a great time here, where the locals were friendly, the food was fresh homemade, and plentiful and the wine easy to drink. We wouldn't never found or been accepted into this place with our foodie tour group, which is why I recommend it to anyone who loves food and is in Bologna.

Overall 7/10

May 21, 2011