Did you bring that dish? It is delicious!
'Portato' = por-TA-to. 'Buonissimo' = buo-NIS-si-mo.
Use this at a buffet-style party when you have eaten something particularly good. Discovering who made a dish creates a warm, complimentary connection and often leads to recipe-sharing, which Italians love.
The emphatic 'tu' in 'hai portato tu' places stress on the subject — 'was it YOU who brought it?' rather than someone else. This is a common Italian emphasis pattern. 'Buonissimo' is the absolute superlative of 'buono': extremely good.
Com'è fatto questo piatto? Me lo spieghi?
How is this dish made? Can you explain it to me?
Asking for the recipe — high compliment in Italian culture
Non avevo mai mangiato qualcosa di così buono.
I had never eaten anything so good.
Emphatic superlative compliment — perhaps slightly dramatic but appreciated
Mi daresti la ricetta?
Would you give me the recipe?
Directly requesting the recipe — the ultimate Italian food compliment
Parmigiana di melanzane (aubergine parmigiana) is a beloved Southern Italian dish. Asking for someone's grandmother's recipe ('la ricetta della nonna') is the deepest food compliment in Italy. Italian recipes are often family secrets passed down orally and never fully written — being trusted with the recipe is a sign of real friendship.