Need restaurant recommendations for Bologna

We had a great meal at Ristorante da Cerari (http://www.da-cesari.it/default.asp) It was recommended by the staff at our hotel. I'd ask locals for recommendations as well!

Have you tried the following sites? tripadvisor.com slowtrav.com
concierge.com

Thank you Sharon, Ristorante da Cesari is on my list.
I have been to the 3 above mentioned travel sies. I never rely on Trip Adviser for restaurant recommendations. Slow Travel has been very useful. I was hoping to get some feedback from like-minded travelers from Rick's website.

I use tripadvisor to help me vet restaurant choices, taking both the negative and positive comments with a grain of salt. But you can still learn helpful information. For example, there was a restaurant in Orvieto (I think) that had several people commenting that the owner wouldn't allow you to have more than one glass with your meal. You had either wine or water, but not both. Some people found that charming. I found it less so, so crossed it off my list. :-)

I'm with ya on that Michael. I've gotten alot of invaluable info from Trip Adviser. I am aware though that sometimes, and it's probably not all that often, that restaurants stuff the ballot box, so to speak. Not just in Italy, but even in my hometown. That's why, one of the worst restaurants here is rated #1.

Hi Ray, We're going back to Bologna in May - I'd love to know what other restaurants are at the top of your list! Thanks!

We ate at a really good one in 2008. I'll see if I can dig up the credit card receipt (yet another reason to pay with credit cards at restaurants.) :-)

We are considering Trattoria dal Biassanot at Via Piella 14, Ristorante Nello al Montegrappa at Via Montegrappa 2, Drogheria della Rosa at Via Cartoleria 10, Al Sangiovese at Vicolo Del Falcone 2, and All'Osteria Bottega at Via Santa Caterina 51. We have read good things about these, all serve traditional Italian dishes at moderate prices.
I'm excited to visit Bologna for the 1st time so I'm probably over-researching. Because from what I've heard about the abundance of good restaurants there, we probably cant go wrong with any of them.

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations Ray! Sounds like you've done lots of good research. We went to Bologna one time and liked it so much that we're returning for a second visit!

Found it, and it's one of yours already. Dal Biassanot (but their website is a bit of a mess - still under construction.) Absolutely delicious food and very good service. We had dinner for two with wine for 95E.

Our favorite and the only one we eat at when we go is Ristorante Tinello on Via de Giudei. It's literally right next to the Due Torri (two towers) so easy to find. The food is phenomenal. Even if you don't see it on the menu, ask for the tortellini al balsamico (homemade tortellini marinated in a balsamic vinegar sauce), easily one of the top 5 dishes I've eaten anywhere in my life. They also have a dish with fresh pear and some kind of round, grilled cheese with walnuts and the guy put a few drops of balsamico on it using an eyedropper. I asked what the deal was and he said the balsamic was aged 30 years, so thick and creamy that you only needed a few drops. It was so good I bought a bottle from him as a gift for my wife. One of these days we'll try a different place but it's hard to imagine getting a better meal than we always do at Tinellos. As a side note, there is a very famous gelateria in Bologna called "Gelateria Gianni" that is said to have the best gelato in all of Italy. I've had it all over Italy and I would agree. I have a local friend who introduced me to it and I've since taken several people there who have all raved about it. I hear he opened a second one near the Due Torri but go the original, it's just off the Piazza Nettuno on Via Monte Grappa (behind the McDonalds). You google map it easily, it's well worth it.

Grazie Rik! My wife wanted to find some real aceto balsamico. I'm going to put that on the top of my list.

If you're a big foodie, then check out chowhound's website. We've eat at Drogheria della Rosa several times, each time for lunch. The owner is a real character. I think he delights in being the stereotypical Italian restaurant owner for the tourists. On our last trip there, he sat down at our table with us and talk for a bit, including telling our 11yo daughter that she needed to use both a knife and a fork when eating (I agree). Also on the more moderate side, Trattoria Leonida. It's on a back street, and frequented more by locals. On the more expensive side, Pappagallo (more traditional) or Caminetto d'Oro (more inventive). Tambourini, which is a sort of prepared-food place that serves lunch, also has a wine bar in the street in front. Nice cheese and salumi plates, but it tends to be packed in the evenings. Gelateria Gianni is not to be missed!

echo Trattoria dal Biassanot, very wonderful. I had trouble getting a table for one even at about 7pm on a weekday in October, so I recommend booking. Also the one right a few doors down that is bright and small - Trattoria Tony. Very traditional tiny little family-owned type of place. Delicious. Had a great lunch (local fresh pasta) and dinner (steak) at Scalinatella, closer to Piazza Maggiore. very reasonable for the food, very busy. Have fun, Bologna is wonderful. make sure you visit the various markets!

If your wife wants good balsamico, take a stroll through the Quadrilatero section, it's where all the food shops and markets are and most of the shops specialize in balsamico. Many will take the time and explain the different types and ages and such and some even let you do tastings. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a joy to wander around that area and window shop.

Hi Ray! You might want to check out "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" by Fred Plotkin. It has lots of good restaurant ideas!