Casa Maria Luigia Modena

Leave it to @massimobottura and his @osteriafrancescana team to end their greatest hits menu with a mic drop—or in this case, a lemon drop. The iconic “Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart” was born when Sous Chef Kondo Takahiko accidentally dropped a tart just before service. Instead of tossing it, they embraced the moment—serving it upside down, smashed, and rest is history! Proof that sometimes, the best creations come from happy accidents.

And for the cheese course after? Like a true madman, it was a full-on pasta course! Handmade tortellini in a rich Parmigiano Reggiano cream sauce—so delicious, but was definitely way too full by the end. Less

More @massimobottura greatest hits! One of my personal favored the Lasagna reimagined, aka The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna, from Osteria Francescana—cooked pasta turned into crisp sheets, blitzed, rolled, fried, smoked, and torched, served on the best ragù and Parmigiano cream.

Also, the Beautiful, Psychedelic Spin-Painted Veal, Not Flame Grilled, inspired by Damien Hirst’s Spin paintings. Chianina beef filet, marinated in milk like veal, rolled in ash made from blackened vegetables, and cooked sous vide. Classic sides—potatoes, salad, veggies—are reimagined as, “psychedelic” sauces, finished with Bottura’s own balsamic vinegar. Less

Dinner at Francescana was all about the greatest hits, starting with the iconic “Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in Different Textures and Temperatures”—a masterpiece 20 years in the making. From a hot demi-soufflé made with 24-month-old Parmigiano to a delicate galette baked with 40-month-old cheese, every bite showcased the magic of time and technique. Massimo says it best: “It’s made with two ingredients: Parmigiano Reggiano and time.”

Another standout? “Riso Camouflage”—risotto layered with squid ink, porcini mushrooms, and vibrant vegetables, creating a stunning green, brown, and black palette. Truly unforgettable. Less

in modena, italy (march’24)

part 2/2
as much as i didn’t enjoy the dinner, i have to give credit to the beautiful estate and our lovely stay at the casa maria luigia. tennis courts, swimming pool, gym and art gallery aside, the house next door to the hotel is their own balsamico cellar, where tours are offered for in house guests to visit and sample the different balsamic vinegars made by massimo - from d.o.p. to his experimental blends.

the stay also includes breakfast, which was probably the highlight of the whole experience here and brightened our easter sunday. almost endless courses of sweets and savouries, from italian classics like the gnoccho fritto, parmigiano and endless foccacia, the american classics due to the soaring numbers of american tourists here - but they do bake a mean cinnamon bun. jams and spreads also which are all homemade and endless supply of chocolate chip cookies to take like a buffet.

if you do come to this side of italy, i do recommend staying overnight here to wind down in the estate and stay for the breakfast. to feed curiosity, could also attempt at their dinner, but would personally only recommend going for the stay and breakfast.
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would revisit: try once for brekkie and stay
reservations online
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📍CASA MARIA LUIGIA
location: stradello bonaghino, 56, modena
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#2feastingpigs_modena
#2feastingpigs_italy Less