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Osteria Francescana Modena Reviews
Impeccable service, a true masterclass in hospitality.
At Osteria Francescana, the staff are more than servers; they are artisans of timing and grace. Every movement felt intentional, from the pacing of the dishes to the quiet choreography of their walks, making the whole evening feel like a show The menu itself was a journey, equal parts theater and storytelling. It opened with Pane e Acqua and playful creations like Brodo in bloom and La cipolla sogna di diventare caviale ("the onion dreams of becoming caviar"), each dish carrying wit and imagination alongside flavor. Even something as humble as Pizza fritta felt elevated into art. As the courses unfolded, there was a sense of traveling through landscapes and traditions. Nella foresta ("in the forest") evoked earthiness, while Mare Nostrum was a love letter to the sea. The pasta course, La Genovese, came with its own story about roots and reinvention, reminding me that here, food is always about more than taste; it is about memory, place, and identity. The highlight for me was the Jazz Duck: improvvisazione sull'anatra. The name says it all: spontaneous, surprising, and deeply satisfying. The duck itself was perfect, and the reduction was divine. I savored every bite. From there, playfulness returned with Fast Bees, Slow Honey, and Sotto il sole siciliano, a bright tribute to Sicily's warmth. Desserts continued the narrative arc with Gelati and a whimsical Surprise, Surprise!! that left us ending on a note of joy and delight. Altogether, this was more than a meal. It was an edible storybook, built on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and masterful technique. I finally understand what a three-star Green Michelin experience truly means.
No longer a 3 star restaurant in my view
I’ve wanted to go this restaurant for years, having being very fortunate enough to have visited a number of 3 star restaurants over recent years. Firstly, overall, this isn’t a 3 star restaurant in my opinion. The service was very good, attentive and friendly staff. I have to say, the first few courses were forgettable, some boardering on unpleasant. The meal really picked up from the main course onwards and to be honest, the final dishes were wonderful, deserving of high accolades, hence my 4 star review here. If it was for courses before the duck, it might have scraped a 3 at best. The duck and the meringue (which we added as an extra course) were first class! I would have gone back the next day for them alone. Would we return again, sadly not. We visited the sister restaurant, which wasn’t much better (review to come!)
A deception not to be repeated under any circumstances
Greatly deceived by the quality of the food, especially if compared with the reputation and the price of the restaurant... The service was very careful.
Horrible experience at Osteria Francescana.
Horrible, un-eatable experience. Went for a family celebration but turned out to be one of the worst experiences I’ve had with Michelin star restaurants. 2 of the dishes were fishy and tasted very bad, we thought it was part of the dish but after the lunch ended 2 members actually ended vomiting and feeling stomach discomfort. Had to go to doctor and they had a stomach infection. Don’t go to this restaurant. Very very costly and food is not good at all.
The review we didn’t expect or want to give
This experience will save us a tonne of money, because it has taught us that 3 Michelin star tasting menus are not for us. We will keep it simple and go for places that focus on flavour. Like everyone, we expected so much. “It’s a 3 star and was once the best in the World; surely it will be our best ever meal”. To say that we were incredibly disappointed and, frankly, shocked would be an understatement. Before we get to the food: the decor is like a whacky Aunt’s living room, the lighting is like sitting in the dentist chair and having a spotlight on you, the atmosphere is silent and the sitting lasts 3+ hours. None of it is appealing. We did the tasting menu and the first on the menu - Pane e Acqua [bread and water] - is arguably the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. Anywhere. I can’t get my head around it, or some of the other dishes. It didn’t get any better for about 5-6 dishes. Out of 14, there were 3, maybe 4, that were tasty and we went ‘wow, that’s lovely’. The rest were confusing, style over substance type dishes. You’d never want to eat them again. Food is like art, it’s subjective. And maybe our taste isn’t sophisticated enough. All I know is that - given the expectations, the travel involved, the cost [€850 as we don’t drink alcohol] - it is the worst food experience we’ve ever had. And I’m so, so disappointed and sad to say that.
Absolutely incredible.
Went on may 28th. My first Michelin star place I've eaten at but I've worked fine dining a long time. Service was wild. Don't know who coordinates the flow of service but it was absolutely amazing, The meal though. Did the tasting menu along with the drink pairing. The most interesting and mind blowing part was each dish felt like it was meant to make the next one better. And the next one was better because what the last one was preparing my pallet for it. Every single drink pairing as well elevated the flavors. Thank you so much. Absolute art in the flow of flavors.
I was a bit disappointed by my experience here.
I had been looking forward to this for so long after reading about it and also watching several shows on Chef Bottura. The dining room is beautiful and the service impeccable. However, the food, which was supposed to go with a theme of sustainability, just didn't quite work. The dishes were not particularly tasty and I honestly didn't get how they were supposed to relate to the theme of the dinner.
I've held off on writing this review because of how
I've held off on writing this review because of how disappointed I was, but the time has come. Having dined at a few Michelin-starred restaurants, this experience was one I had been anticipating for a long time. Massimo's restaurant was high on our list, and we made our reservations six months in advance. Traveling from Arizona to Italy involved multiple flights, trains, and renting a local Airbnb in Modena just to facilitate this visit. While the actual cost of the meal was significant, it paled in comparison to the overall expense of making this journey. Unfortunately, the flavors simply did not live up to my expectations. Am I glad I made the trip? Absolutely--100 percent. Would I do it again? Definitely not. To be fair, I do not enjoy seafood, and while I was kindly offered replacements for the seafood dishes I struggled to palate, I wanted to experience the original tasting menu as intended. If I could change one thing, I would have opted for non-seafood alternatives. The service was excellent, though not exceptional, and the highlight of the evening was meeting Massimo himself. It was wonderful to see how humbly he greets his guests, takes photos, and takes the time to chat with those who travel to visit his restaurant. The restaurant itself is beautiful--a small, intimate space tucked away in the charming streets of Modena. The level of detail and dedication that goes into everything is truly impressive. Sadly, I just didn't enjoy many of the flavors, perhaps because my palate isn't refined enough to fully appreciate the tasting menu. That said, my partner ordered the Bolognese, and it was magnificent. Though it wasn't intended as a main course, the portion was light yet satisfying, and I would highly recommend that anyone dining here try it, even alongside the tasting menu. At the end of our meal, we were given a complimentary magazine and a bottle of Modena's famous balsamic vinegar--a thoughtful and generous gesture. While I respect the artistry and passion behind the experience, and I'm grateful for the journey, it simply wasn't for me.
As a passionate food lover who loves to cook all the time
As a passionate food lover who loves to cook all the time following culinary legends like Ferran Adrià and Massimo Bottura was a no brainer. Their creative mind is more than just art and science. The opportunity to eat at El Bulli can never be met, as it closed in 2012, but Massimo's Francescana was one I had to get in. My heart was set on Modena, even more than Rome, Venice, or Florence, because food moves me in ways that words often fail to capture. Eating at Osteria Francescana was me going on a pilgrimage. The anticipation of tasting the "Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano" and "Tagliatelle al Ragù" had been a constant source of excitement and inspiration for me. Walking into Osteria Francescana for lunch, I felt a wave of overwhelming emotions. I kept telling myself not to overhype it in my mind, to manage my expectations, but deep down, I knew this was a moment I had romanticized for years. As I sat down and the first course arrived, my heart raced with anticipation. The "Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano" was placed before me, and as I took the first spoonful, my eyes moistened. The complexity and depth of flavors were beyond anything I had imagined. It was a symphony of textures and tastes, each age of Parmigiano Reggiano telling its own story. I was overwhelmed, not just by the dish itself, but by the realization that I was living my dream. Next came the "Tagliatelle al Ragù." Its simplicity was deceptive; the dish was light yet incredibly rich in flavor. The delicate balance of the ragù with the perfectly cooked tagliatelle was a testament to Massimo Bottura's genius. It was a dish that spoke of tradition and innovation in equal measure. The "Eggplant del San Domenico" was another revelation. An eggplant steak with onion powder replicating a steak, it was a homage to the San Domenican style. As a steak lover, I was astonished by how this vegetarian dish captured the essence of a steak. It was a bold and brilliant creation that left a lasting impression. I am not someone who easily becomes emotional, yet here I was, surprised by the depth of my feelings. I had been romanticizing about all things Massimo and Osteria Francescana for years, fearing that the reality might fall short of my expectations. However, the experience surpassed even my wildest dreams. It felt as though I had under-romanticized and under-hyped it, as it still blew my mind. Food not only creates memories and brings people together, but it also changes lives. This meal at Osteria Francescana was one of those memories that will shape my life's journey. It was a reminder of why I fell in love with cooking and the power of food to evoke emotions, tell stories, and connect us all. This experience was more than just a meal; it was a dream come true, a moment that will forever be etched in my heart.
Amazing across the board !! Great experience ! The best
Amazing across the board !! Great experience ! The best part is that you can choose between the tasting menu or a la carte !! Super good either or
Worst restaurant experience in my life !
The worst experience of my life ! Honestly... What a joke ! Everything was bad... First, before going there, I called and asked if there was valet parking. I was told that "there are many parking spaces in the neighbourhood". But they did not tell me that you have to park in some dodgy streets nearby... :-( Then the restaurant is the old town in a beautiful house but when you get in, it's like being in a bunker ! Horrible... If you compare for example with the restaurant Fransén in Stockholm (that is also in the old town and in an old house), it's day and night ! The 7-course tasting menu should be called "trying menu" because it's really a struggle to try and enjoy it. I gave up at dish n°4 ! The service was amateurish and don't get me started with the wine list that you were supposed to read on your smartphone with a QR code !!! Aha ! Good luck with that... + 100 pages or wine suggestions to read on a small screen and with a wifi / 4G connection that was very limited... 3 stars Michelin... Yeah right ! A joke... PS: we have complained and were asked to go back to try again... Complimentary of course... But I don't know if I want to go back...
Amazing experience but…
The restaurant is wonderful in its simplicity. The service was really good as you expect from a restaurant of this calibre. The only side note was the wine pairing that it’s very pricey and we didn’t receive any guidance or explanation about what we were drinking. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Lamentável não entregarem a fatura/recibo bem como a atitude perante a solicitação deste documento
Dear Chef Massimo Bottura, dear Team, we have just arrived in the hotel after a great dinner experience at Osteria Francescana in Modena. In the afternoon we visited Maria Luisa and were also very happy about the tour and service. Unfortunately our dinner ended in a very unfortunate way. When asked for the invoice/receipt we were told that the table was closed and we should have asked for the official document before paying! As we did not accept this situation an employee ( whose name I did not ask for and who, at this point I prefer not to include in The Team) adopted an unacceptable attitude.Nothing one could expect from any entity, far less from Osteria Francescana. It certainly is not our first visit to Michelin starred restaurants, but it is the first one where we had to tolerate a very haughty and provocative behavior. I am very sorry for this and surely will forget the dinner experience quicker than this occurrence, which I deeply regret. Kind regards
A Valentine weekend to remember
In Italy for the Scuderia SF-24 and so close to Modena we had to pay a visit to the F 1 of the culinary world also . Absolutely exceptional experience! The team delivered top- quality in service and food from our arrival to departure. The tasting menu showcased impeccable execution, with each course boasting flavors that harmonized seamlessly. Choosing a favorite dish is a delightful challenge; they were all so incredibly delicious! Thank you Massimo and team for the fantastic experience , keep up with the good work.
Let me first start saying that I am nobody, not either a
Let me first start saying that I am nobody, not either a food critic or a chef, sono un ragazzo nato e cresciuto in Veneto e che vivo a Miami da 15 per lavoro. I came to Massimo restaurant right before Netflix hit. A totally different place and experience. Took me 3 years to bring my parents to the restaurant to celebrate their 40th anniversary and let me tell you what a disappointment I walked my self in too. Very Disappointment and kindly frustrated for what we experience, in a place like this I don't expect, I require the best of everything, that's why we have place like this and that's why we go. First in line to walk in the door at 12:30 and the smell of humidity (wet carpet right of the bet) made my parents saying 2023 and they use carpet? What a shame. Sit down and no welcoming drinks, a place where you pay 325 euro for the experience doesn't bring a welcome drinks to guest is seriously a joke My family didn't want to have the full menu and they pretty much force the whole table to chose between tasting menu or a la carte to avoid delays or issues when the place are coming out. With all the respect I have for the food, the art and experience but is not my problem. I am here to pay for what ever is available is your job to figure it out how to serve 2 tasting menu and 2 a la carte dish. Hate at Duomo and enoteca pinchiorri this year and I didn't have any issue in ordering different menus for the table. Spent 1650 euro in wine, 2015 and 2018 sassicaia 1 ripasso e 2 primitivo, I had to call the waitres 3 times to fill my father glass of wine, no attention to detail from the staff. Staff is young and I love the fact is using the new generations but train them well before throw them in to the ring. The room is dark and depressing, crazy woman painting are in the wall without sense Food was good but not stellar, at least not now. Half of the real menu is gone and is new creations with hints of Modena. I didn't came to eat mini carbonara I came to eat what Massimo used to serve. After paying the bill and bought 4 bottle of balsamic v. To take home, my dad kindly ask one of the staff if a grappa or an after drinks was offered saying in veneto dialect My son just spent 3500 euro for food and wine can we get a grappa for free smiling? The staff looked at both of us and said, sorry we don't know and walked away. Go to villa crispi, il duomo oppure enoteca pinchiorri if you are truly want a 3 star Michelin experience, here not sure what you can get.
Probably one of the worst meals I've ever had.
I was so looking forward to eating here and planned a whole trip around the reservation. I was extremely disappointed in the tasting menu. If you like really fishy fish, then you might like this, but judging by the plates returning to the kitchen, I wasn't alone in my dislike. It was not with the money or time to visit. If you do make the trip, the ambiance and service is top notch, but stick to the classics on the a la carte menu...
I do not ever write reviews of other reviewers of
I do not ever write reviews of other reviewers of restaurants, but anyone complaining of a terrible experience without sharing what they ate and why they disliked the food has no credibility. What's worse is their inability to spell 'Michelin' correctly. They automatically expose themselves as boors and idiots.
Overwhelmingly disappointing.
We spent half of our mortgage payment, traveled across the world, and waited months to have a smug waiter and only 1 bite of our entire meal make our tastebuds "dance" as I like to say. What was supposed to be the highlight meal of our honeymoon turned out to be the biggest thing we regret: buying into the hype.
This establishment likely has the most respected reputation
This establishment likely has the most respected reputation for any restaurant in Italy. It's for good reason. They have won best restaurant in the world twice and continue to push gastronomic boundaries. The team has created a new menu for 2023 celebrating classic dishes of the Osteria but presenting them in a new way. Once you arrive at your seat you'll be offered to order the tasting menu or ordering a la carte. With prior notification you can even order a vegetarian version of the tasting menu which is its own unique experience. There's no bad option. The regular tasting menu is a beautiful experience starting of seafood and briney, moving into savory, and ending sweet over around a dozen tasting courses. Chef Massimo even visits with guests if he's working the kitchen. I won't spoil anything more other than the price as of September 2023. Expect to pay €325 for a tasting menu (same for vegetarians), €210 for a wine pairing, and €30 for a champagne appertif. Reservations of months in advance and you MUST book them the moment they become available. It's worth the effort because I was served the best meal I've ever had.
Excellent experience
Really enjoyed my visit to Osteria Francescana. Massimo even came up for a chat.
It was a dream come true to visit Osteria Francescana after
It was a dream come true to visit Osteria Francescana after seeing it and Massimo Bottura highlighted in many food programs over the years. We scored a reservation the minute they opened up (and glad we did as a few minutes later, all of the reservations for this month were gone...and this was about 6 months in advance.) With such a sought after place, make sure you put a lot of advanced thought into coming here or you just won't get in. Honestly it was the Five Ages of Parmesan Cheese dish that brought us here. We added that to the tasting menu (after mortgaging our house to be able to afford this meal) and it was for sure the highlight of our tasting experience. We enjoyed many other things, especially the incredible amount of artistry that went into each dish and its presentation. We especially remember the beet dish. We're vegetarians so got a vegetarian version of the tasting menu and they did, we think, a pretty good job of matching up flavor profiles with the meat versions of the dishes they came with. We also thought the Eggplant all San Domenico was one of the best presentations, taste and texture of eggplant we've ever had. The atmosphere was a little bit of a bummer...it was INCREDIBLY FORMAL AND SERIOUS to be in there. The staff in particular, I don't think ever smiled, and the overall ambiance was kind of heavy. I guess this makes sense for one of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in the world, but it didn't quite match the playfulness of Botturo's on-screen personality, or the same playfulness that went into the naming of the dishes. And although we enjoyed everything, even a few weeks later with pictures of everything, it's hard to pull out highlights...maybe because the meal had so many courses...just thinking about it, it kind of all ran together...whereas at many other restaurants we dined at throughout Italy on this vacation, we can call out specific tastes flavors and joy at being in the places. If we were to do it again we would just order a-la carte. The 5 Ages of Parmesan dish that brought us in wasn't included in the tasting menu and we would have been VERY happy with it and a couple other items and the food, likely would have been more memorable and we would have saved hundreds of dollars. Massimo...you're a super-fun guy. Let that reflect in the experience one has in your most famous restaurant.
I usually don't write reviews but I was rather shocked how
I usually don't write reviews but I was rather shocked how bad this place was. Living in NYC, I have been able to try multiple michelen rated places and this was easily the worst. Chef massimo is obviously a genius but his current menu focuses on stories and technicalities rather than flavor. Nothing was memorable. Highlight was the breadsticks.
We made a reservation in error and it was a month earlier
We made a reservation in error and it was a month earlier than we meant to visit. Their policy was to charge 250 euros per person for not being able to make it. We made an honest mistake and also tried to shift the reservation to a month later and were flatly denied. Yes, they had a right to implement a policy, but it was very bad business. Instead of gaining a loyal customer for life, and one that would have given much more to their business, they chose to be inflexible. This is a fatal mistake for a business and tells you how they operate. It is an arrogant position to take and I never recommend patronising establishments with this kind of attitude. I will make it my "occupation" to ensure all aware of the behaviour. It is a missed opportunity.
Massimo Bottura has lost his way.
He has abandoned his restaurant. This was the worst fine dining experience we have ever had. The ambiance is dark and depressing with multiple colors and images of crazy women on the walls, no printed wine list; no printed ala carte menu, spot lights directed at tables that cannot be dimmed; music in the background turned so low you cannot hear it; a young inexperienced wait staff; Massimo not on-site or anywhere to be seen. Food average but not good. The only part of the evening that was enjoyable was the 2015 bottle of Masetto we shared. It was a miserable experience. It is also extremely expensive with many guests spending their hard earned savings for an experience not worth having. NOT recommended. This experience has destroyed our confidence in the Michilen Inspectors. Massimo deserves to have his three Michilen stars removed. He does not deserve one star, let alone three.
Creative Italian Excellence
The creativity of every plate was authentic and intentional. The food was delicious and had a playful and interesting twist of the regions favorite recipes. Wonderful service, excellent wine pairing. The icing on the cake was meeting Massimo himself. Highly recommended.
Huge disappointment
We booked 6 months in advance to celebrate an occasion based upon reviews I'd read several years before. I wish I'd read reviews here and elsewhere to see that it no longer lives up to the reputation it had. Based upon the tasting menu I'd agree with previous posters here; lacking any atmosphere, poor quality atmosphere (I'd agree with a previous poster that you'd expect it to have an atmosphere more reflective of Massimo's personality as opposed to a wake). The back to front dessert > main course menu is gimmicky and not worthy of 3 Michelin stars. Serving beer and 2 very large slices of sourdough that don't go with the course was a mistake. The snacks were chewy, the pasta was dry, chewy and flavourless. Adding liberal flourishes of truffle time after time to a dish doesn't elevate it if it's already poorly put together. There was no stand out dish. The risotto was about as good as it gets but it was pretty dull not only to look at but in terms of flavour. The red cabbage dish made to look like venison was awful, really stringy and also cold. The savoury dish supposedly meant to be inspired by what animals eat in the forest was inedible and I wouldn't have served it to them, as it was cold, weird textured, lumpy custard with cereals. Not pleasant. Some of the wine pairings were OK, but not stand out. The turbot (masquerading as porchetta) was dry and tasteless and I'd rather have had some of the lovely local produce served as porchetta. I'm guessing Massimo no longer cooks here from previous posts. A huge disappointment and overpriced for what it is.
What more can I say.
.. one of the best culinary experiences of my life. 3-4 hours of pure enjoyment, with a journey in contemporary Italian cuisine. The menu was well-designed with interesting contaminations from French and Japanese cuisine.The wine pairing was good, but I don't think it was exceptional - the Barbera, for instance, was underwhelming. Nonetheless I had one of the best pairing ever when the "chicken, chicken where are you?" was paired with a Sauternes; otherworldly to say the least.We also got the great chance to meet Massimo Bottura. What an honor! He's really charismatic and charming. Service has been mostly attentive for 95% of our meal. I didn't appreciate one of the servers pushing us to leave by reminding twice that our cabs arrived. We had this meal at Maria Luigia, as this was during lockdown. I wish I could experience one day the ambiance at the Via Stella restaurant.
Disappointed, this is not a 3 stars Michelin, I feel cheated
I’ve been to many exceptional and very good restaurants around the World, besides not been a Chef I think I understand at least a little about food and I had an accurate taste for good tables. I booked this table months in advance, and I took a long flight from anither continent to attend the reservation and meet some of my good friends, actually one of them is a former Chef assistant of a famous chef in NYC. The menu was not good at all, to be very honest for the entire menu one dish was ok, the others were not good at all, they even ask if someone has allergies, one of my friends does not eat fish, so the 1st. dish had fish, she left the plate untouched, so they asked why you did not eat? She answered I do not eat fish, so the next plate was I kind of past stuffed with different things, and one of the ingredients was fish, they removed from her plate 2 or 3 pieces of the pasta which was filled with a kind of fish and bring the other part, imagine my plate have for example 10 pieces of pasta, and her plate had 8, I’ve never see such a disgusting attitude, anyhow, the service was terrible, the food deserves no more than 1 Michelin star or maybe a Bib Gourmand, I can’t believe this guy is famous for this poor table.
what a restaurant !
Absolute quality, technique and raw materials! one of the first risotrandi in the world not by chance! we are not always in Italy but it is absolutely a pleasure to return in Italy and in these restaurnt !
A Legendary Icon
I visited Francescana recently on my trip to Florence and so decided to pay a visit to Modena to dine in this legendary restaurant. All the food is creative, artistic and executed with great skill and technicality. It is truly one of the world’s greatest restaurants. I found both the food and the service unusually fun for a restaurant of this standard and not at all pretentious or “stuffy” as opposed to what others on here may say. This is a classy and sophisticated restaurant where tables are encouraged to chat amongst themselves and create their own ambiance. We also had a good conversation with Signor Bottura himself which was also lovely. We added on to the tasting menu two signature dishes, which were the five ages of parmigiano and the lemon tart. These were served as half courses as suggested by the waiter and I was charged for one course per dish despite being served in two portions to me and my partner. I suggest to those that wish to eat these world famous dishes to do the same instead of complaining. However, a “classics menu” in conjunction with a seasonal menu wouldn’t do any harm for those that travel far and wide to eat at this legendary restaurant, for who it may be a once in a lifetime experience. It’s also worth nothing that the vegetarian menu at Osteria Francescana is one of the best I’ve ever encountered and more or less mirrors the standard menu as the dishes are slightly altered in order to become suitable. The breadsticks are possibly the best I’ve ever eaten and I may hold the Guinness world record for eating the most ever in this restaurant. The wine list has some great Italian bottles as well as French and wines from further afield. I dined at Francescana for around three hours and just in time to be driven back to Florence and arrive at a reasonable hour. So it is possible to eat here if you are poor for time. A must visit and I hope to return one day…
What I remember from Osteria Francescana last night:There
What I remember from Osteria Francescana last night:There were maybe 20 people outside when I arrived at 7:55, all couples, mostly middle aged, in varying formalities of attire, from the clean sneakers technocrat look to ornamental jewelery and suit jackets. I wore the black shirt that Martina made for me, and felt well fit to the occasion. Staff wore black formal attire, as well as a professional body language where their every movement was intentional. There was some art on the walls but nothing too striking, and the restaurant was divided into several rooms with high ceilings, plain color walls (ours was charcoal grey) and a floral pattern carpet that while colorful, I did not even notice until halfway through the meal. A light was 10' above each table, but instead of coming down from the ceiling, they curved up from the floor on tall slender stalks. The atmosphere was inviting, equally at home for a formal mood as a joyous one.We were seated and given menus, which revealed 12 courses with 9 alcohol pairings to come. Course names ranged from simple "Pasta, Butter and Marmelade" to descriptive "Textures of the North Adriatic Sea" to fanciful "journey to a beautiful countryside: ravioli are a container of ideas" and "think green is a state of mind" - however even the simply named dishes were not what they seemed, and it was impossible to predict what each would be from the name. For example, "Grilled Venison and sides" was in fact a radicchio filled with cream over which a venison sauce was poured. Drinks preceded each dish by a few minutes, and if finished early were refilled. Each dish arrived with a few sentences introduction by the waitstaff, who worked as a team at each table rather than dividing up the tables between them. For example, "Textures of the North Adriatic Sea" was introduced with a square of yellow translucent plastic covering the dish, and the waiter noted that we must remove plastic from the oceans so that we can enjoy them, before picking up the plastic and letting the smells out. Many dishes included a finishing sauce or broth that was poured at the table. All were unique and unexpected in flavor, of which most were delicious - I particularly enjoyed a fish beignet and a white chocolate pear in a shallow pool of cheese that, when cracked open, was filled with cream and diced stewed pear chunks. The menu's most delicious dishes were frontloaded, while the drinks became more and more satisfying over the course of the meal, and I found myself pleasantly drunk by the end.Midway through Chef Massimo came out, hair free and wearing white, and spent a minute or two connecting with each table's guests - at our table he told us about a project in New York opening in a few months that would be a very special soup kitchen through his organization Food for the Soul. When I asked for a photo, he drew my companion close with genuinely warm body language and smile. Later in the meal, when I did not finish one of the dishes, a waiter asked me with concern if I had not liked it - I demurred, and I feared as he left that my unfinished dish might be cause for some serious thought behind the scenes.The food itself I'm still struggling to describe in my head - the flavors and textures are memorable, and unique in their combination. I have slept since the meal but i still do not have the words to describe them. I can only say that I am eating the simplest food now, so as not to dilute their memory, as I continue to process them in my head. I do not think that eating the same tasting menu again would be a waste, in fact if offered a new one or the same again, I would be tempted to follow this particular journey another time and go deeper. The dishes do not rely on the surprise at all, many of the tastes felt like waking up and recalling memories from a dream. The whole atmosphere helped the meal to feel like a dream in another time and place, that I hope I can one day drift back to.
After it taking a year to secure the coveted reservations
After it taking a year to secure the coveted reservations to dine at this restaurant and then having to cancel those reservations due to Covid and having to postpone it by another 2 years I finally got the opportunity to check it off the list. Ever since seeing the chefs table episode I knew I had to go. Not sure if it was the hype built up over years of waiting or a combination of the actual menu but we were a little let down. Don't get me wrong the majority of the tasting menu was incredible flavors but it was 80% vegetarian. If it was the menu from years prior I would probably have said something different. At least I ordered the five ages of Parmaggiano Reggiano and that was a knockout. Absolutely delicious. That was the only thing from the original signatures that we got. One item that one of us were to thrilled about was the seafood soup. If you live the flavors of the ocean and really strong fishy game flavor then you would love it but in the U.S. we represent fishy ocean flavor with not being very good. It could just be a culture difference also. Overall we were very impressed and it was quite the experience, I would go again if I get the opportunity because I would love to try a new tasting menu when I go back or just order the signature tasting if they offer it.
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Osteria Francescana Modena at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Osteria Francescana Modena page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* FluffyStar64, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* FluffyStar64 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to FluffyStar64 for any questions Peter may have as FluffyStar64 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* FluffyStar64 now uses their connections at Osteria Francescana Modena to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If FluffyStar64 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, FluffyStar64 receives the $200 reward which is credited to FluffyStar64's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Osteria Francescana Modena!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
