Franco Rossi, Bologna

We arrived in Bologna on the Sat morning and had already booked the Franco Rossi restaurant after some research on the net before leaving. The weather was miserable, we were tired and someone was suffering from wet feet! However when we got to the restaurant that evening we were treated to some truly exceptional service from the Maitre'D Giuseppe and the waitress Simone! We had an enchanted evening and were there well over 3 hours enjoying some beautiful wine and fine food. Without a doubt the only place in Bologna we felt we received good value for money despite being by far the most expensive!! Would recommend to anyone!

Don't take my word for it. The German couple seated not six inches from me had the same reaction (intimate meals are one thing, but in a half-empty restaurant shoehorning people in at nose-hair distance is ridiculous). The souffle di carciofi sounded intriguing as a starter, but it should be more accurately renamed warmed-up soggy bread (think day-old french toast consistency) on Knorr's artichoke soup thickened up as paste. This ignores the forlorn radicchio and frisée naked without dressing tossed onto the side as an afterthought. The stunned Teutons got their portions first. His grunt and grimace at what I first thought was an amuse-bouche was noticeable. I thought it entertaining, until I realised that the object of his derision was what I had ordered. Okay, so the main course was not bad: veal with mozzarella and white truffle. But five star food? Not on your life. So who cares if some celebrity author chose the place to hang his hat whilst writing one of his ripoff novels. Leaving a few of his books out on view smacks of desperation, methinks. Neither couple stayed the course, passing on the sweets. I have only bothered to write positive reviews before, but these folks were off their game.

Myself and several colleagues travel to Bologna most years on business. Once the day's business is done we all head for our friend Franco. It's simple. The best cooked regional Italian food and wine. A great way to spend an evening in this lovely City. Can't wait for our next visit, it's all booked Franco.

Attention to detail, quality of food, ambience; all excellent. The only criticism was the sweet was a bit of a mish-mash. Excellent wine from the region.

Ventured into Franco Rossi on a tip from a web guide. Well worth the money. Franco made excellent suggestions, poured wonderful wines, and treated us as old custumers. The sliced Parmigiano, and Balsamic ( suggested by Franco) were enough to make the day trip from Florence worth the time. This is Not silly tourist "Italian" food.Best meal of a 4 week stay.

On a hot and sultry day in the midst of the August, 2000 holidays, when 50% of all Bologna's restaurants were closed we stumbled upon this wonderful place; a refuge from the heat and empty streets. We were the only patrons at lunch time and were certainly warmly welcomed. The host was gracious, we were immediately supplied with cold mineral water and cold fresh white wine. I'm not sure what we ate, but it was delicious and the courses were separated with a wonderful palate freshener of three ices; basilico, limone and fragole. A small, but elegant and charming touch. The "conto" was not insignificant, but certainly not an overcharge. I suggest a special stop here (only a short walk from the railway station) and well worth the stopover between Milan and Florence. I suggest too, that this is a restaurant primarily for adults. Children are usually welcome in most places in Italy, but it seems a bit to liesurely for families with young children. Buon Appetito!

We cannot understand the negaitive review that appears below. The owner was charming when we visited. We were given a free choice of the carte and enjoyed the best and most inventive food that we experienced in a 4 day stay in Bologna - e.g. roast rabbit wrapped in ham and spinach with shaved white truffle. Nice touches included a complimentary aperitif of white wine and sweet wine with pudding. We know that such freebies are factored into the price but this seemed like pretty good value. Immaculate service and a nice ambeience as well. Recommended!

So very wonderful ! We tell people that are traveling to stop at Franco Rossi's. Their presentation is delizioso. They are very welcoming. GRAZIE!!!

This was such a big disapointment... if you have only one meal in Bologna, don't wast it there! The drunken owner is an unpleasent host, although the waiters do their best to disguisse the mediocre food and tourist ambiance. Don't let them suggest food or wine or anything really, it's obviously a way to push up your bill - we payed 50 Euros each and couldn't understand what amounted to that total... it weren't inocent suggestions...

A small and intimate setting with tuxedo clad, efficient waiters made this a charming place for our lunch during a book tour of Bologna. Franco Rossi prominently displayed a copy of "The Broker" by John Grisham in a vingete setting in the restaurant. When writing "The Broker", which takes place in Bologna and includes this restaurant in the book, Mr. Grisham sat often at "his" table in the corner. An interesting fact: the female in the party received a pink menu without prices; whereas the male received a blue menu with prices listed. The food was delicious, particularly the pasta with figs and curry. I highly recommend this restaurant whether one has read "The Broker" or not.