Diana Bologna

I wanted to write about Diana because it wasn’t just the food but the people who made the difference. The boss was so cute, when I asked to take a pic of him with the roasted meat trolley, he immediately picked up the knives and posed for me as if he was working 😆 (pic 3, he does not carve in reality.) Then everyone wanted me to take a pic of them when they served me 🤣 (pic 2). Because they were so nice to me, I wanted to take a pic of all of them at the eb, just to keep a memory of all the nice people I met. Then the boss went to the back room to get his blazer jacket for the pic 🤣🤣🤣. So adorable. (Pic 1)
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The boss called me by my first name from the beginning😆 and when I was leaving, he said “Bye Margaret” (with Italian accent) with a big smile and a wave at the door. I felt so warm and touched.
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The food might not be the most top notch, but the nostalgia, the people, their hospitality added a lot into the experience. In Chinese we had a phrase called 人情味, which aptly translated to “flavor of human emotion connections”. It is exactly that, and that is the most precious and unforgettable flavor on earth ❤️💕.
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And here is the final post for the Italian part of my #littlemeg_best2019 series. There were other places I visited but let’s save it for next time. I love Italy so much because it is one of those countries where traditions are preserved so well, where skills and techniques were passed down not just within restaurants but also within families (that is the part that failed so miserably in Hong Kong), where superb ingredients are highlighted in simple cooking, where friends and families enjoy sharing food together (think pasta pizza cheese and ham are all meant to be shared, I don’t mind keeping all the gelato for myself 😝). The flavor of People is as intense as my Bolognese Ragu, as sweet and concentrated as my gelato, as warming as my tortellini in brodo, and as rich and long lasting as my culatello and lardo. I understand Italy is having a little struggle now 😭😷, please hang in there 💞🙏🏻. Take your time to heal, and I hope to see you soon
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With all my heart ❤️ until next time 🇮🇹 Less