Fresh pasta is a precious good, a tradition deeply rooted in our territory. It represents an art, the one of know-how but above all the one of the good life that characterizes our Emilia.
So, when projects that celebrate and export this way of being born, I am sincerely happy to support them. Recently I was guest at Bottega Portici, a new format of casual food that originates in Emilia-Romagna, that proposes quality and traditional food at the right price. Here, I tell you better what it is and I how was my experience.

Bottega Portici: the format

Born in the heart of Bologna, under the shadow of the two towers, Bottega Portici is a full food experience in the great gastronomic tradition of our territory.
Once entered, you can distinguish immediately its authentic soul linked to the Emilian food identity; it’s impossibile not to remain enchanted in front of the masterly “sfoglina” who every days prepares the dough in the open kitchen!

At the same time, it’s difficult not to observe its most contemporary soul linked to a more modern way of food consumption: the atmosphere is modern, comfortable and functional, the offer of the menu is varied and goes beyond the excellent fresh pasta including other preparations such as the tasty chopping board of cold cuts and cheeses, fried vegetables, salads, coffee and quality Italian pastry.

A little bit restaurant, a little bit shop where to buy local products, a little bit cooking school (yes, because in Bologna there is also the Academy): we can say that at Bottega Portici the past meets the present giving life to a “casual” format of fast food of quality and deep tradition, 100% made in Italy, where the love for the gastronomic culture of the territory is protagonist. And that’s exactly what I like!

From Bologna to the rest of Italy (for now): Bottega Portici exports the beautiful tradition of the Emilian fresh pasta

Recently, Bottega Portici has left the Bolognese borders to arrive in Rome and in the nearby Reggio Emilia, where I spent a very pleasant dinner that I want to tell you. But its diffusion will not end here, in fact, several new openings are planned in the immediate future.
Although I already knew this reality, I had never experienced before the “food experience” offered. For this reason, receiving an invitation to take part in a happening organized for those who live in the area and tells the story of our territory was very interesting.

In Reggio Emilia, Bottega Portici is located inside “I Petali” shopping center and obviously, due to the nature of the place, it lives in a different context than the one of Bologna, but it wants to keep the experience unchanged. It could be pleasant to go there for a quick lunch or a dinner or to stop to buy fresh pasta to bring at home as you can do in an historic Emilian shop.

What characterizes it and has always an incredible charm is to see the sfoglina at work. Even if,  Emilian people like me are used to attend this show, that gesture of pasta preparation remains always magical: every time it is able to surprise me! Our grandmothers have made it become a so familiar practice that every time we see making pasta we come back in time to our childhood! However, I must say that kneading 50 eggs is not so common 🙂

The proposal of fresh pasta that can be tasted at Bottega Portici is the most traditional one: tagliatelle (with meat sauce), tortellini or cappelletti (in broth or cream), tortelloni (with butter and sage or with butter and tomato).
I’ve chosen tortelloni that were also the same type of pasta which I tried to prepare in the “practical test” that the friends of Bottega Portici have proposed me. Then, it was amazing to discover that their stuffing made of ricotta cheese is produced by Bianca Modenese coming from Zocca in the province of Modena!

Finally, the order phase was quick and easy: it sufficient that you go to the cash desk, choose and pay. Once the operations are finished, they provide you a disk pager which will vibrate and light up when your meal will be ready.

At this point nothing remains but to enjoy all the flavor of Emilia! 😉

Then I wonder… how do you not love them at first glance? Impossible!

This post was made in collaboration with Bottega Portici that I thank very much for their invitation and for making me known their beautiful reality.