Ristorante Il Trovatore
Parma
Via
P. Ireneo Affò 2/A
Parma
0521-236-905
info@iltrovatoreristorante.com
Owner: Pasquale Giordano
Chef: Lucia Giordano
Review copyright - Ginda Simpson
In keeping with Parma’s love for the opera and for
Verdi in particular, Pasquale Giordano named his restaurant “Il
Trovatore” after Verdi’s masterwork of the same name.
Speaking of mastery, his sister Lucia does a fine job in the
kitchen, sending out one specialitá parmigiana after another in
this landmark trattoria opened just nine years ago. Pasquale suggested
that we sip the sparkling fizzy Lambrusco, the classic wine of the Parma
region. Not only because it
is a good wine, but also because it pairs well with their cuisine, which
is rich, thanks to Parma’s celebrated hams, salamis, and of course,
Parmesan cheese – all of which reign supreme here.
A sampling platter of prosciuttos and salamis started our dining
adventure.
Two types of ravioli came next – one filled with
ricotta and fresh herbs and the other with sweet potato, to be consumed in
that order. Next, the
tenderest beef, stewed in red wine accompanied by a soft polenta.
Then there was a delicately light semi-freddo, called
Bacio di Parma, or Parma’s kiss.
Pasquale saw that we ended this fabulous meal with tiny biscotti
and Malvasia Passita, a deliciously sweet dessert wine.
Of wine, there is plenty. Below the restaurant is a 16th century cantina,
where the Giordanos store a selection of 400 different Italian and
European wines and a few hams, of course!
Il Trovatore offers after-theatre dining.