Bar Mezzana
South EndRepresenting Emilia-Romagna$$$
A coastal-Italian room in the South End with a pasta list that travels the whole peninsula — which makes it a good place to learn what does and does not belong to Bologna.
Menu verified on July 27, 2026
Passport Dish
This dish earns your stamp — Emilia-Romagna.
Tagliatelle al Ragù Bolognese
Tagliatelle with Ragù Bolognese
Ribbon-shaped egg pasta served with a slow-cooked meat ragù, Parmesan and sage.
- Pasta shape
- Tagliatelle
- Sauce
- Ragù Bolognese
- Main ingredients
- egg pasta, slow-cooked meat ragù, Parmesan, sage
- Price
- $29
- Traditional or interpretation
- Bolognese-inspired preparation
What to expect
Only the designated Passport Dish earns the regional stamp. Additional dishes deepen the tasting experience.
Why this dish represents Emilia-Romagna
Tagliatelle and ragù are central to Bologna's pasta tradition. The broad egg noodles are designed to carry the finely cooked meat sauce.
No region is more identified with pasta. Emilia-Romagna is the home of tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma. Egg pasta here is rolled thin and porous so it can absorb slow-cooked sauce.
Explore Emilia-Romagna in the passportWhile you eat, notice this
- Notice how the wide pasta carries the ragù.
- Taste the balance between meat and tomato.
- Notice the aroma of sage.
- Look for the texture of egg pasta rather than dried pasta.
Continue tasting
Two more dishes worth ordering here. Neither earns a stamp — both deepen the meal.
Orecchiette
Small ear-shaped pasta served with sausage, fennel and radicchio.
Introduces the orecchiette shape associated with Puglia through a modern northern-style sauce.
- Shape:
- Orecchiette
- Ingredients:
- sausage, fennel, radicchio
- Price:
- $28
- Style:
- Modern interpretation
This dish does not earn a Puglia stamp.
Lumache
Curved shell-shaped pasta with peperonata, spicy 'nduja and ricotta salata.
Shows how hollow pasta captures a spicy sauce and introduces ingredients associated with Calabria and southern Italy.
- Shape:
- Lumache
- Ingredients:
- peperonata, 'nduja, ricotta salata
- Price:
- $27
- Style:
- Southern Italian interpretation
Plan your visit
- Address
- 360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
- Reservations
- Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
Menus, ingredients, prices and availability can change. Confirm current information directly with the restaurant before visiting. Speak with the restaurant regarding allergies or dietary restrictions. Pesto Pastaria does not control restaurant preparation or cross-contact.