Loira P.
Yelp
We had come to Modena with a few ideas of where to eat but had not made a booking. We asked the staff at our accommodation where we should go to eat and this was her second suggestion.
Around 19:00 we managed to call up and make a booking for two people at 20:30. Take note, this was on a Saturday night and 20:30 or 21:00 is when Italians start to have dinner. So I think we were lucky to nab a reservation.
When we got there the place was full, mostly with locals. Also at the first part of the entry you see trays of fresh pasta and behind that we saw a lady continuing to make the fresh tortellini.
We were led to our table and we were given an English menu. I had a few ideas as to what to order as I had researched a bit about what is typically Modenesi.
I had the tortellini in beef broth and my partner had the bigger tortellino (I think that's what it is called).
Our excellent waiter (wish I had caught his name, he was awesome. Also if you speak English he will most probably serve you as I do not think the other staff do. Ask him for recommendations, he will not let you down) told my partner to put Parmesan on his and drops of the balsamic. For me, I was told to put Parmesan on mine and grate some fresh nutmeg on it. He said once I've eaten all the pasta to add a drop of the Lambrusco we were drinking. He said during the war, they didn't have enough broth so they used to mix in the wine. Now this may sound like an odd combo, but it worked and tasted divine!
Then for our secondi my partner had the pork sausage - now, be warned, this sausage does not use normal casing but the skin I think from the pig trotter. That said, it is soft and edible. However if you're not into jelly-like, slimy textures you might not like it. It was served with mashed potatoes and two sauces - a pepper sauce and salsa verde.
I had two slices of meat (can't remember the specifics) with a balsamic sauce and mashed potatoes. It was simple but absolutely brilliant.
For dessert, the wait recommended either zuppe inglese which he said is basically like a wet cake or chocolate cake in a marscapone cream. Both are Modena specialties and we went with the chocolate cake. It looked very rich, but oddly enough it was not.
Everything about the food and the service was very well done. I cannot praise it enough. The interior is nothing modern or showy, but in my opinion, you don't need fancy decor to have a great dining experience.
Will definitely visit again when in Modena!