A la bolognese: Casa Rosita

We all know Antonio Banderas as fearless Zorro. He started his international career as the nerdy young man in “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown”. And recently returned with “Dolor y Gloria” starring as alter ego of Pedro Almodóvar. But only now I learned about yet another side of him at Casa Rosita in Santa Catalina.

The cozy osteria run by Stefano and Elena from Bologna is a typical inn around the corner. Where neighbors like to meet for a glass of wine and a simple, home-cooked dish. The menu has been the same for six years, Stefano explained, because that’s what his guests are coming for.

It’s easy to make yourself at home at Casa Rosita. The small restaurant is filled with personal memories from travels around the world. Elena prepares the meals in the open kitchen. Classics like gnocchi con pesto and tortellini panna. Or tagliatelle bolognese, for Italians the one and only pasta that goes with the ragù. And there are more classics for dessert: tiramisu, of course, panna cotta and chocolate cake.

When I asked Stefano about Rosita, I was expecting the name to be a tribute to a mother or grandmother. Instead he told me about “Un mondo buono”, a series of TV commercials that their son used to like. Short clips with Banderas and a white hen called Rosita that were popular in Italy for several years. Looks like for Elena and Steve the hen was the more popular of the two.