Giardini Margherita, Bologna – mural and view

 Lake in Giardini Margherita 

Fuck Hate – rather appropriate fresco 

@ of the entrances to Giardini Margherita

Today featured a brief visit to Giardini Margherita

Bologna – the city

Really enjoying our first trip to Bologna – the old centre is most attractive. There are many lovely food shops as well as fine old shops fronts. We are also eating very well – both lunch and dinner – in very welcoming friendly restaurants with excellent food. Naturally the charcuterie is wonderful. 

We are already very tempted to do a return visit to this delightful city – why the hell are we leaving the EU!? 

Details of restaurants to follow.


  

Street in the old centre

Sala Borsa

Piazza Nettuno – a contrast between old and new  

 

Towers in the centre of Bologna 

(above and below) 

 Cakes and sweet shop in the old centre

 Wide range of pasta 

(above and below)

 Charcuterie including the famous mortadella

Plenty of people biking around Bologna, 

so lots of cycle parking 

Bologna – arrival + dinner @Aroma de Roma

The inside of the restaurant – 

the boss man can be glimpsed at his desk

Early yesterday evening we arrived in Bologna – a first visit for us. Very soon after sitting down at one of Aroma de Roma's outside tables we had managed to shake off the memories of time spent at Heathrow's Terminal 5. I spent nearly 30 minutes waiting for my laptop and ipad to be checked over at security. Fortunately we had arrived in plenty of time for our flight, otherwise it would have been squeaky bum time!  

 Restaurant's white wine list 

 Restaurant's red wine list 

2015 Terre dei Grifi Frascati, Fontana Candida 

The selection of wines at Aroma de Roma feaured several Est!, Est! Est! along with a range of Frascatis. The restaurant showing its Roman accent. We decided to go for the 2015 Terre del Griffi in the middle of the price range, which hit the right spot.  

First courses 
 

  

Deep fried courgette flowers - delicious!

Penne with chili and garlic – also very good

By this time I was wondering why I don't come to Italy more often – the restaurant staff were helpful and friendly, the food good and we could enjoy watching the world go by. 

During our meal the owner came out to talk to us and we had an interesting conversation about his visits to the UK and especially to Scotland.  

Main courses

Spaghetti carbonara 

Breaded lamb chops – unusual for me and delicious 

Detail below

Saltimbocca

2015 Casale Della Ioria, Campo Novo

DOCG Cesanese del Piglio

Very enjoyable soft red that was a fine match 

with the breaded lamb chops

Although it was made a DOCG in 2008 Cesanese del Piglio is a new DOCG to me. It lies to the mountains to the east of Rome. It must have no less than 90% Cesanese grapes (both Cesanese di Affile and Cesanese Commune are allowed). 

I would definitely recommend Aroma de Roma if you are looking for a relaxed dinner – the food is good, while the wines are OK but not outstanding but fine if you aren't being geeky!