Hosteria Giusti - Modena (Italy)

One of the most exclusive restaurants in all of Italy with only four tables, Hosteria Giusti was one of the toughest reservations from my trip. And this was very positive, as I rejoiced months in advance since the moment I received confirmation that I was able to score a table there.

The restaurant is hidden in the back of a beautiful salumeria. The deli itself, established in 1605 making it the oldest in the world, is already worth a visit, with Prosciutto hanging and beautiful condiments on display.

Behind the counter, lucky diners can go through a narrow hallway and into the tiny dining room. And this is where the magic takes place. The casual setting sets the tone for an impossibly great meal, one of the best that I’ve ever had, in a simple and homey environment.

As a starter, the gnoccho fritto is not to be missed. This Modenese classic is basically a puffed pastry topped with different cold cuts. The fried dough is light and airy, but still crispy somehow. This pillowy goodness is paper-thin and pairs perfectly with mortadella and salami on top. Heaven on earth.

Moving on to the pastas, I ordered a Garganelli with duck ragu that was fantastic. Garganelli is not the easiest type of pasta to find on menus, but it matched very well with the sauce and its hollow shape holded the ragu within the pasta. Another hit was their tagliatelle with tomato sauce, which I am finding very hard to put into words and explain.

Finally, I also ordered a fried cottechino (a typical type of slowly cooked pork sausage), with a zabaione sauce. I found it very interesting, as usually such fatty and heavy dishes are accompanied by an acid element for balance purposes, and this specific recipe goes another route with a sweet sauce, providing a combination different from what I am used to.

Having a meal here was a life-changing experience for me and it quickly became the benchmark of what an impeccable lunch in Italy should be.

(Versão em Português nos comentários)