We’ll start with a throwback into my stay in Bolgona, Italy. I was fortunate enough to gain this experience through my college study abroad program back in 2011. It was the perfect place for our stay because it wasn’t a tourist town like some of the bigger cities. While studying at the oldest university in the world was magical, it was the indulgence in food that truly amerced us into the Italian culture. Bologna, the capital of the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, is the birth place of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Bolognese sauce and half of all pastas worth eating.
My favorite place to eat was when Ally, Kelly, and I pulled out our Bologna map, put on our curiosity coats, and head out for an adventure. Walking into this hidden local gem, we took our seats in the low lit basement at a communal table and ordered drinks while pretending we could read the menus. Many restaurants had communal tables (a long table with benches on either side) which allowed us to make new friends, learn Italian phrases, and what size wine portions “real Italians” order….it will always be the largest size and failure to order so will result in laughs and tourist snarks. There is no language barrier when it comes to ordering wine and we felt the ultimate tourist give away when we ordered the medium wine carafe during our dinner for three. Needless to stay we summoned another, scooted closer to our new friends, and three hopeful guessing orders later, we were engulfed in the local Italian night out. Hand made pasta, large carafes of wine, and eating with perfect strangers now called friends is a thing of beauty. It was an evening of excess in Italian size proportions.
Side Note: Gelato stores in Italy are like Starbucks in America; look around and you will see one in every direction. Gelato…the quintessential year round snack for all Italy visitors and dwellers.
Our entire trip was full of hidden delights, you just had to be willing to turn down dark alleys, make new friends, and try anything new that came your way. Italy: where smoking and drinking when you like and where you like are powerful and protected notions. Where pizza’s are quintessentially Italian, Cappuccinos are breakfast, and the food kisses you back. Given the chance, I would go again.
Eat More Butter
