Colline Emiliane, Rome

Colline Emiliane was one of the meals I was looking forward to while I was in Rome. Recommended by T and by other fellow food lovers, I decided to have lunch there. It's located near Piazza Barberini, in the center of Rome. We get there 1 pm and we are the first to be seated (the restaurant got full by around 2 pm).

It's a small family run restaurant serving Classica Cucina Bolognese (Bolognese Cuisine) from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The interiors are very simply and basic...no frills. At that point, I knew I was going to have a good meal.

For starters, they serve us the typical bread basket and house wine (without even us asking for any wine). The house wine was served in a cuartina (half a bottle of wine served in a small pitcher). for the Antipasti, I ordered Prosciutto di Langhirano. Langhirano is a town in the Province of Parma in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, known for producing Prosciutto di Parma. It was very thinly sliced, dry but quite tasty although not as salty as the Spanish Iberico hams, which I am used to having. It also had less fat then other hams I've had.

Then I had the Tortelli di Zucca (Pasta stuffed with Pumpkin). A very simple but tasty dish. Home made pasta stuffed with a pumpkin paste, then served with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Delicious pasta dish, quite filling but of course I left the plate clean as a whistle....

For my main course, I had Giambonetto di Vitella con Purea (Slow cooked Leg of Veal with mashed Potatoes) This plate was huge and by the looks of it when it arrived, it looked very heavy. The veal was probably the most tender I've had, cooked in some kind of cream or milk. I did not touch the mashed Potatoes since I had no more space for it but the Veal I completely wiped out.

For dessert, I could not resist the Frutti di Bosco con Limone...a mix of Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries with a little fresh Lemon Juice. So refreshing yet light, its a perfect dessert/cleanser after a heavy meal.

I enjoyed this home cooked meal very much and do plan to come back here whenever I'm in Rome...Ciao!