Parma is not a big city filled with iconic tourist attractions drawing visitors from all over the world. It is a small town. The streets are filled with the real people who live there, just going about their days. But for a dietitian and foodie like me, what Parma does offer might be even more exciting than world renowned churches, museums and works of art. Parma is the home of such wonders of the culinary world as Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma and, the stuff of dreams, torta fritta (we’ll get there).
The next day, a short car-ride just out of Parma brought us to the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, Romani (Strada Dei Ronchi, 2 - Vicomero, 43030 Torrile). Seemingly located in the middle of nowhere, Romani occupies a large farmhouse that opens up in a number of directions, to unveil several dining rooms, a courtyard, a patio and back garden, all filled with antiques and old photographs. We know because when the host saw us admiring the bric-a-brac, he lit up and set to taking us on a tour of the place. |
Don’t skip the buffet antipasti, where you can return again and again until you’ve had your fill of beautifully and delicately prepared starters. After the excitement of the start of the meal, I decided to keep it simple and take my inspiration from the toddler I’d spotted the day before. I got my own bowl of agnolini in brodo. It doesn’t get any more comforting than this dish of stuffed pasta in chicken broth. |
Quick Guide
- Dine with locals I Tri Siochett (Strada Farnese, 74/a, 43125 Parma)
- Pumpkin ravioli Trattoria die Corrieri (Str. Conservatorio, 1, 43100 Parma)
- Farmhouse dining Romani (Strada Dei Ronchi, 2 - Vicomero, 43030 Torrile)*
- Gourmet market Mercato della Ghiaia (Piazza Ghiaia, 43121 Parma)
- Gelato grand finale Trattoria Ai Due Platani (Strada Budellungo, 104/a, Coloreto, Parma)*
- Wine bar Tabarro (Str. Luigi Carlo Farini, 5/b, 43100 Parma)
- Popular café with locals Bar Paninoteca Navetta (Via Navetta, 2, 43125 Parma)
*Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand