No one goes home hungry at Trattoria Anna Maria – that’s just a fact!
1985 Was a Great Year…
If not for some very special qualities that this trattoria has to offer, you may think it’s the same as any other. And while the trattoria is in the heart of the university district, it is unlike other eateries in the area. 34 years young, the trattoria is just a few months younger than me. Having opened its doors in the summer of 1985 the trattoria has stayed strong since then.
Throughout the years the trattoria has had guests famous and average alike licking their plates clean. The trattoria boasts something that most restaurants don’t do nowadays, which is hand-made pasta. With a tiny shop just a few doors down from the trattoria, a pasta maker hand makes every type of pasta all day long. Ensuring guests get the best quality food imaginable, for the semi-high prices that the business charges.
Anna Maria happened to be celebrating her 79th birthday the day I came in for a bite to eat. I not only had the pleasure of meeting her, but also sharing my meal with her – literally! The Italian lady who likes to talk about her grandmother’s home cooking, asked if she could polish off the rest of my pasta when I was too full to continue. I like the woman’s style!
Popularity and Business
The business has seen a great increase in popularity throughout the years, so much so that well-known figures such as Andrea Bocelli (the operatic singing legend) has dined there, and some notable Italian politicians as well. As I said at the time, if the pasta is good enough for Andrea, then it’s good enough for me!
The trattoria has also collaborated with a language school called “Love Italian”. A place where foreigners living in Bologna can learn Italian with a native Italian speaker. The students are invited to participate in local activities including (you guessed it) eating pasta at Trattoria Anna Maria.
The walls are covered with not just photos of Anna Maria with her famous and non-famous guests, but also thank you notes from her patrons over the years. A lovely touch to add to the already homey feel of the upscale trattoria.
And while this all may seem like a lot of smoke and no fire, rest assured, the kitchen has a lot of heat for a reason. The food is absolutely delicious, and you’ll be hard pressed to find other trattorias in town that meet the same standards as Anna Maria’s. She is committed to making sure guests eat well, just like she did in her grandmother’s kitchen. The love and care that the cooks put into preparing the traditional Bolognese classics are evidence of the fact that Anna Maria won’t let you leave unless you are full.
Si Mangia Bene!
As she rubs her protruding stomach she tells me that her food is “molto buono”, and I would concur. One cannot leave the trattoria without feeling as though you’ve treated yourself to a particularly filling and authentic Italian meal.
And there are so many choices here!
From the Lasagna to the Tagliatelle al ragu to the Tortellini al Brodo there is no possible way you can leave Anna Maria’s hungry or unsatisfied! But, the one thing you absolutely have to have before walking out the door is their unique and unbelievable version of Tenere Ciocolatta. It was like fudge. And a brownie. With chocolate goo. I think I’ve made my point. Oh, and there was mascarpone on the side. I think it’s obvious you need to stop reading this article and fly to Bologna just to have this amazing chocolate cake. Ready…go!
There is nothing quite like a lady who commits her time, love, energy and own personal touch to the cuisine you are going to undoubtedly enjoy when eating here. The atmosphere is authentically Italian, with tourists yes, but primarily locals frequenting the establishment. Warm, friendly and with slightly higher prices than average, you won’t regret coming here and having a delicious experience. And when you do go, make sure to tell them Lisa sent you!
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