Anthony Bourdain’s recent blog post about the life altering food he experienced at a Spanish restaurant (that usually has at least 4 million requests for reservations) has inspired this post. Unfortunately Bourdain’s restaurant, El Bulli, is closing down for good July 31st. Bourdain made it clear that this restaurant featured the best food he will ever have in his life, which is saying something coming from a chef and fellow world culinary traveler. However it was also clear that what was important about this place was where he ate this amazing food.
His bitter-sweet post made me recall my ultimate meal, the one I always think back to and my mouth begins to water and I end up looking up flight tickets or photos just to remember eating that dish once more. For me, this dish can only be found in Bologna, Italy.
I arrived in Bologna, with a group of penny pinching University students, not knowing what I was getting into. I had read that Bologna is considered the food capital of Italy and so I wanted to be particular with the food I ate. I wanted to get a taste of this amazing Italian food that yet to try. We arrived by train from Verona, where we were staying and making our own make-shift Italian meals. This really killed me. I felt it was so ironic that I was making my own food in a country that makes, what some think, to be the best cuisine in the world. So when I arrived in Bologna, I was determined to find a nice sit-down restaurant where I could get a taste of what would be my best meal in Italy. This was more difficult than I thought
Our schedule for the day was tight; filled with the Anatomy Theatre, San Petronio Basilica, Palazzo Poggi and then finally a quick stop at an art gallery/museum of which I cannot recall the name. Luckily we had an hour to eat in between and I underestimated the attitudes of hungry women, while overestimating their budget and desire for a great meal.
Our breakfast consisted of a lovely chocolate braided pastry, however, with a day like my Bologna day, I needed more than this to satisfy my hunger for THE great Italian meal I was searching for.
San Petronio Basilica
After visiting the Anatomy Theatre, where many of us felt dizzy with the talk of dissecting human bodies while in a stifling hot room made of pine, we determined lunch would be the solution. We wandered around the old streets that were peppered with graffiti about, from what I could tell, Fascism. Our professor let us know that Fascism is alive and well in Bologna, and so were the pickpockets (hold your purses close even at the church). Luckily, I avoided both.
After visiting the Anatomy Theatre, where many of us felt dizzy with the talk of dissecting human bodies while in a stifling hot room made of pine, we determined lunch would be the solution. We wandered around the old streets that were peppered with graffiti about, from what I could tell, Fascism. Our professor let us know that Fascism is alive and well in Bologna, and so were the pickpockets (hold your purses close even at the church). Luckily, I avoided both.
The group of girls I found myself with were equally as hungry as I, however, when I saw a potential orgasmic culinary creation, they saw Euros flying out of their pockets. To add to the differing tastes, we also had a vegetarian to accommodate. After a few times of thinking I have found it, they weren’t as keen. Finally, I decided to pick a place and sit, even if it meant dinning alone. The annoyance was obvious and palpable between all of us. We had arrived at a restaurant called La Clavature, and we sat outside in the charming streets with the sun, giving our feet a rest and wiping the sweat from our faces. The sickness from the Anatomy Theatre mixed with the crankiness of hungry women tainted the atmosphere. I was no expecting to find THE best meal, just one to satisfy our hunger pangs and make us all like each other again.
The waitress, who also seemed to be the owner, could not have been more friendly and to thank her we had convinced many of our classmates who passed us on the street to eat at La Clavature as well. Her restaurant was packed and to thank us she gave us all Tiramisu on the house. It was the best meal in Italy. And as for our vegetarian friend, she too received a delectable spinach cake with balsamic drizzle. It looked surprisingly appetizing, however, my pumpkin tortellini was perfect. The pasta was fresh, which you can easily tell by the firmer texture. The pumpkin stuffing with ricotta was melt in your mouth good. Most of the time I find many tortellini or ravioli fillings end up clumping together in such a way that you cannot tell what you are eating. This was no the case at La Clavature. The Tiramisu was also the best I had in all of the 11 cities I visited in Italy.
Bologna was a treat in more ways than culinary. The city offered so much for the eyes to devour, in particular, Palazzo Poggi as well as San Petronio Basilica. Bologna is centrally located which makes it great for day trips from Verona, Venice, Florence, etc. (Be sure to stay tuned for future posts of Palazzo Poggi as well as the amazing San Petronio Basilica!)
While this meal was amazing, I do expect it to be topped eventually; perhaps this summer in Naramata, Seattle, Vancouver, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. But it will forever be immortalized in my mind for the best dish I had during my first trip to Italy.
Do any of you readers have that one meal you will never forget?
And if so, where?
Osteria al 15, also in Bologna. Pasta with pork cheek and radicchio with parmesan !!
Oh my!!!! That tortellini & spinach cake look heavenly. Yummo, I need to go eat now!
Hi there I am calling by as another participant in Ciao Christy's – La Dolce Vita. A difficult question as by the time you get to my age there are so many excellent meals to choose from!
Murissa,
I would have to say that the best meal I ever had was obviously an ordered one from Mcdonalds one morning when I was incredibly hung over. I would also like to add that for some reason while being inebriated, food seems ten times more better. Almost as if they have a 5 star chef in the back cooking it just for me. Okay, all jokes aside now, my best meal was in Italy. It was a seafood pasta. I long for such good food again (aside from my mothers of course). I would also like to add that perhaps you should join this James character on a journey. Who knows… maybe you two will hit it off.
Best Meal, wow, which to pick!..I would have to say it was at one of Buenos Aires' best restaurants called La Cabaña Las Lilas. Good Lord I would go back to that country just to go eat there again.. everything from the service to the food was impeccable..
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James are you asking me out?
Ha! Thanks for posting everyone!
Stay tuned for a trip back to North America, the foodies dream vacation…San Francisco!
Murissa, Sorry it has taken so long to comment on your post. This is a great post, I love all kinds of food from all over the world. The best meal i have had is a hard one to decide. I have only had the chance to indulge in a few “true” cuisines that have not had an american twist added. On the other hand it is hard to top a home cooked meal with friends and family. When i do find that perfect meal, I will surely let you know. Maybe one day you can accompany me on a quest to find the best meal ever!
Keep up the great work!!! Cannot wait for your next post!!
Murissa, i really enjoy your blogs! The best meal i have had is at home!
my wife is a great cook! I guess we will have to meet somewhere for a dinner party…..Hawaii maybe?? if you are not too busy to fit it in your schedule. Keep up the great Blogs. Can't wait to see where you are off to next.
what an adventure!
And the food looks fabulous!
I wish I'd known about it when I went to Bologna.
I always end up at Tamburini for lack of choices, though I am never disappointed.
BRAVO!
I love Bologna!
I don't think that is strange at all Rowena. I wish people had more dinner parties but unfortunately at 24 years old and in Canada it seems to be a dying breed. I usually have to arrange them with family members so people will come lol.
A dinner party in Italy or Hawaii would be unbelievable I am sure.
Thanks for posting.
I don't find it strange anymore to say that the most unforgettable meals are the ones that we are invited to. Perhaps part of that thinking goes along with the territory when you've lived in a foreign country for awhile, but every time I think back to a spectacular meal, it was always at someone's house where they pulled out all the stops!
Thank you Virginia. I really have been enjoying rummaging through your blog. Thank you for visiting and come back soon!
I too love Anthony Bourdain, I think I would dine with him even if guinea pig was featured on the menu.
MM
Thank you for visiting my Paris blog today. I love meeting new readers and seeing what they are passionate about. Your blog made me VERY hungry as I read all about your memorable meal. Personally I like to dine with Anthony Bourdain! Now that would make any meal special~ HA
Please visit often,
V