You are by now aware that I have been to Bologna - much to the disgust of Smiles. He seems to regard this city as his own, though what it has ever done to deserve him or indeed what he has ever done to be honoured enough for them to allow him in is beyond me.
Steeped in history and the capital of Emilia Romagna with the oldest existing university in Europe (founded in 1088) the city is, thankfully, not a major tourist center - yet (and long may it continue) - and an absolute joy. A lot of the joy is due to being surrounded by the young - it seems that at least half the town is under 30 and probably at the university.
Stupidly I haven't, other than fleeting visits as most of my maternal grandmother's family is from the area, spent real time there for years and luckily this trip coincided with the Feast of San Petronio and we witnessed everything from medieval pageantry and flag waving (of which more later)
to Pete making a guest appearance singing some Cohen songs
but mainly, in keeping with 'La Grassa' traditions...
...some truly wonderful food
for some of which we were grateful for recommendations by Smiles (there, I've been nice - last and only time!).
Forget Engine Room and his obsession with New York ersatz modern goo, this is the real thing, and in spades!
There is much to tell and see, but surrounded by so much beautiful and fresh food and wine I now need a snooze. We shall return to Bologna (in both blog and real terms) soon.
Yours, diablog, in the land of my fathers
Glynsky
10 comments:
I always wanted to go there and wish I'd been there, not with you of course!
ER
Actually ER, you should go sometime, it's your kind of place. In fact, I would go so far as to say I would enjoy being there with you. Do I feel good today!
Bliss, a Glynsky free Bologna again. It would be my pleasure to host and pay for a diablog dinner in Bologna, with maybe some wine tasting at one of the wine suppliers to our company.
Don't celebrate too early, Smiles,
Glynsky wants to go back .. for the ladies, of course. He might spoil your paradise.
Thanks for the invite!
ER
Oh Lord - I can hear Pete in the Glynsky Towers compost heap packing. Apparently it is a nice warm place whilst he is 'houseless' but free drink....!
Too much for him to resist, quick ER, we better phone BA now.
I wonder, Smiles, if I met one of your suppliers at the 'Sommelier of the Year' contest on Sunday at which there were also various wine houses who offered me hearty samplings. Loved it! Even drank some Lambrusco from Modena (which they nicknamed 'Modena Cola')which was more than acceptable.
I used to love the stuff (my uncle grew his own grapes and made it himself) and it was brilliant. Didn't travel though - he drank it all!
Dear Glynsky,
Which part of "without you" didn't you understand??????
ER
Now that hurt - have I ever left you out of anything, well, other than parties at my place, Henley, polo, race meetings, Alfa towing days, decent food in London......
Oh well, I sure you can soldier on - by yourself, and don't come to me for any more Italian translations, so there.
You might get lucky and be invited to WHL instead of me. Food is, well, something you leave. The football is, well, average and the company?
Time for another snooze.
Dear Glynsky. One of the major suppliers and my favourite wine producer in the Bologna area is Umberto Cesari in Castel San Pietro Terme. I once organised a wine tasting and then a dinner for Customers at their private villa on top of of the hill with 360 degrees panorama view from the terrace. 10 years late customers and colleagues still talk about it.
I could never take Mr. Wuss there as one year later, I would feel that Mr. Wuss introduced them to me.
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