Swine Food Boutique Restaurant & Wine Bar is located in the center of Bologna, about a five minute walk from Piazza Maggiore (the main square), along a string of several restaurants under Bologna’s famous porticos!  Dan and I passed this place on our walk from Bologna Centrale train station to our hotel and both decided that we had to return for lunch!  Now that says one thing: they have a good facade up to draw in a crowd!  And they do – complete with a large “SWINE FOOD” sign, ample outdoor seating and wine barrels!  I mean, it was like built for us (and anyone who likes wine and pork)!  In fact, it is so done-up, that it attracted the likes of the New York Times in their famous 36 hours series (here).  However, while the facade is very “done-up,” the food was very good and it was filled with locals when we ate there.

Since it was lunch time on our visit, we only ordered one course each.  I took the taglitelle all ragù Bolognese.  IT WAS SO AMAZING.  The portion was perfect for lunch, the sauce was delicious and it was topped with just the right amount of parmiggiano reggiano.  One of my best meals in Emilia Romagna, and that is saying a lot!

Dan ordered the steak, which he said was the best steak of the trip!  The steak was very well cooked, tender and paired with just a little olive oil.

We also paired our lunch with a 2001 Marziano Abbona Faset Barbaresco at €75,00.  Yes, a bit over the top, but oh-so-delicious (and it would have been way more expensive in the U.S.!)  The waiter decanted the wine and we let it sit for about an hour.  The restaurant held preparing our food until the wine was ready to drink, which I found to be a nice touch.

I will definitely return to Swine if back in Bologna.  I would also love to try their appertivo hour, which looked so so good each night we walked back!  Such a problem in Bologna, so many great restaurants and bar, so little time!

STEAL OUR TRIP

Swine Food Boutique Restaurant & Wine Bar – Via Righi Augusto, 24, 40100 Bologna, Italy.  T:+39 051 232631.  OPen daily from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.  We did not have a reservation and walked right in for lunch on a Friday.  Note – the wait staff spoke English, but not fluently.  Have some patience!  Second note – this restaurant has some delicious, and expensive, wine on the menu.  Be sure to confirm cost of both glasses and bottles before ordering.

On A Budget?

If you are on a budget, head a little further down this street until you run into the University Quarter.  The University Quarter is filled with (what else) students and offers a lot of inexpensive restaurants serving delicious food and booze.