We will be heading off on our annual trip to Lake Garda, with a few days in Piemonte (staying in Alba). I booked the night (and dinner of course) before our car drop off in Brescia at Da Ivan in the Po plain south of Cremona, an old Chowhound fave to get a taste of Emilia Romagna before heading north. May regret the choice if its hot! Anyway, wondering if anyone here has had or heard of any recent experiences there. My understanding is that the team of Ivan and Barbara is still in place so I am hoping for a lovely meal. Any info?
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Am heading that direction (Emilia Romagna) in September and will be glad to hear your thoughts!
We have had several unbelievably outstanding dinner near Bologna. Not traditional restaurants but fabulous interpretations of local food.
Lehti
https://lehtirestaurant.com/
Roberto Bandini
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Thanks @beam! If we can only go to one of these, do you have an opinion. Might be able to go to both, but they both look like more suitable for dinner, and I am just (finally!) turning my attention to actual planning.
We went for dinners both times - but we were staying in the nearby village at Varignana resort (their resort restaurants are nothing special). Not sure I would drive for dinner there is I were staying in Bologna proper. Lehti is only dinner I think. Bandini (open for lunch) was a bit more refined cooking than Lehti but we truly enjoyed them both. Both have very welcoming service and ambiance, even if their English is limited and our Italian is zero (except for vino labels).
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That crostini with ‘flat shrimp’ and “sicilian” sauce was a super special bite!
Not sure you have made the choice any easier…for right now, I have booked Lehti, but am still cogitating.
My wife says Bandini was better except for spaghetti with bottarga which was bold (too fishy for her, and she loves silvery fish sushi)
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