Franceschetta58

The venue that consecrated the area as a global gourmand destination is the three-starred Osteria Francescana of Massimo Bottura who, in addition to the cult address in Via Stella, manages the Al Gatto Verde, il Cavallino di Maranello and Franceschetta 58 restaurants where chef Francesco Vincenzi has recently started working with the Modena Prison where inmates grow the vegetables that are then used in the kitchen. Also in Modena, the star shines on Erba del Re, while the Bib Gourmand Antica Moka offers homemade pastas and excellent local recipes, occasionally revisited.

Broken fruit pie at Osteria Francescana, Piazza della Pomposa, Franceschetta58, Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari. Center: Ghirlandina bell tower.Credit...Samuele Pellecchia for The New York Times

Franceschetta58 – We couldn’t write about where to eat in Modena without mentioning Modenese-local celebrity chef Massimo Bottura, though we prefer dining at his brasserie-style Franceschetta58 rather than his three-starred spot (and not just for the price tag). Though this restaurant is much more accessible, the menu (both tasting and a la carte) still swells with his signature innovative takes on Italian, and Emilian, cuisine; the oft-changing dishes include the likes of eel risotto, red onion tortellini, roast chicken with radicchio, and his iconic “Emilia Burger”. It’s details like the giant “I ❤ ️ Modena” sign, funky background music, local wines, mismatched tableware, and entirely unfussy, yet elegant, environment that we so love.

For a more accessible option that still bears the Bottura name, Franceschetta 58, a sister restaurant to Osteria Francescana, offers a more casual yet equally exciting experience. Here, one of the highlights is the Emilia Burger, a blend of Chianina beef and cotechino pork sausage topped with parmesan and a balsamic glaze. This dish perfectly balances the richness of the meat with the sweet acidity of the balsamic vinegar, making it a must-try for those who want to experience the local flavors with a modern twist( Emilia Delizia)( Franceschetta).

I wish I was the kind of person who planned far enough ahead to have secured a reservation at chef Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, which holds three Michelin stars and has been named the best restaurant in the world...twice. But if you’re like me—a last-minute Larry—don’t despair, grab a table at Francescana’s casual and more accessible family bistro, Franceschetta 58. Choose from two tasting menus, one featuring seasonal fare and the second with the classics, or order à la carte.

Franceschetta58 is fast and fun, the atmosphere convivial and the food hearty. Here you’re more likely to encounter rabbit with rapa or a salad of oranges and fennel scattered with bottarga than anything inspired by a conversation between Picasso and Gertrude Stein. It’s not exactly traditional, but it’s very good and very well priced, with the dishes clocking in around €8.50 (a main course at Francescana, by contrast, is in the vicinity of €60, and the tasting menus start at €130).

So I couldn’t start my list from… the original Emilia Burger, Chef Bottura’s creation: made with beef, Parmigiano-Reggiano, green sauce, sausage of Cotechino and balsamic mayonnaise prepared with balsamic vinegar. You can found this burger both in the tasting menu and in the regular menu, among the starters, of Franceschetta 58, a place that I love so much. Although Emilia Burger is a mini version, here, I guarantee you that it is really good!

Experience the overwhelming depth and complexity of internationally acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura’s work, in his and his collaborators’ company, with exclusive-access tasting experiences at his Modena restaurants: Franceschetta58 (a contemporary-casual restaurant), Francescana at Maria Luigia (an intimate setting with an open kitchen) and the three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana, voted World’s Best Restaurant in 2016 and 2018.

The “little sister” to Osteria Francescana has little in common with her older sibling, but the eclectic and youthful ambiance and creative yet simple dishes make for a memorable meal. Under the immense wing of Massimo Bottura, Chef Bernardo Paladini directs an enthusiastic and dedicated young staff, and offers a unique and enjoyable culinary experience. Service is efficient and friendly and all waitstaff speaks excellent English.

For dinner, we went to Franceschetta 58, which was about a 20-minute walk from our B&B. This is Massimo Bottura’s other restaurant and is significantly cheaper—and easier to get a reservation than its sister restaurant, Osteria Francescana (this is said to be one of the best restaurants in the world). Franceschetta 58 is modern and fun—it kind of reminded me of a neighbourhood restaurant in Melbourne, which of course I loved.

There is only one restaurant in Modena that’s truly worthy of your euro to try this Modenese specialty: Franceschetta58. The sauce here is so rich it feels illegal; I am convinced it transformed something in my brain and I will never be able to eat a parmesan cream sauce ever again, unless it’s from her, of course. The reasoning behind the strong flavor is because the cheese used has been aged for 30 months.

Franceschetta 58: younger sister of the famous Osteria Francescana di Bottura is a small bistro where you can appreciate Bottura's cuisine at lower prices. We decided to try the "evolving tradition" tasting menu (€ 50, 5 courses) and some à la carte dishes. The refined atmosphere and attentive service have made this journey into taste even more enjoyable, behind which the chef's research is clearly visible

This brasserie in Modena is a partnership between Chef Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana and Chef Marta Pulini. Just like with Bottura, Pulini has a modern take on food, one not often in Italy where tradition is the highest priority. Chef Pulini spent years cooking in the United States so you get the best of Modenese food expressed in a modern way without the price tag of a Michelin star restaurant.

Although Modena is renowned in Italy for its liquid gold or Aceto Balsamico, Parmigiano Reggiano, salumi such as the culatello and freshly made pasta many would probably skip a visit to this buzzing city unless they are either Ferrari fans or else heading for a gastronomic experience at Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana (see review here) or his new casual brasserie Franceschetta58.

For lunch or dinner, Franceschetta, our little sister restaurant where Massimo and his chef Francesco Vincenzi are taking the Italian trattoria and giving it a really cool and modern breath of fresh air. The menu is always changing but some classics remain. The soft poached egg with Rosola Parmigiano cream and nero pregiato truffles from Bologna is one of my favourites.

Modena is the home of great chefs, for a Michelin star dinner, where you will have the unique opportunity to try Massimo Bottura’s great cuisine, we also recommend the famous “Osteria Francescana” and “Franceschetta58”, two above average restaurants, where Massimo Bottura’s students help manage and deliver unique service and high class cuisine dishes.

There was no better way of ending our short, food-oriented stay than with lunch at Franceschetta58, a well-lit, modern bistrot just outside the center, always part of the Francescana Group. I thought I had reached my limit on food intake yet I was able to enjoy a shared tasting menu and a few extra plates, each better than the previous.

Franceschetta 58, unlike its high-end big brother, is a much more affordable and available eatery that is perfect for lunch (but they’re open for dinner too). So, if you find yourself on the south side of the Po valley, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, and visit this picturesque and ancient city – you know where to go!

– Franceschetta58: who doesn’t know the chef Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana?. A real experience of Modena, but at the right price. For anyone wanting to approach this world, but at a reasonable price, there is Franceschetta58: the more accessible, but just as sought-after, side of the kitchen captained by Marta Pulini.

You won’t be able to dine in the wine cellar, which is normally closed to the public, but you can book a table (with enough advance planning) in the hushed temple of gourmet cuisine upstairs or, if you are looking for a more festive atmosphere, enjoy dinner at Bottura’s Franceschetta58 (Via Vignolese 58) nearby.

Referred to as Osteria Francescana’s “little cousin”, Franceschetta58 is a less formal option from Chef Massimo Bottura. Open for lunch and dinner, diners have the choice of a set menu or a la carte. Must haves: Tortellini in Parmigiano-Reggiano fondue and Torta Sabbiosa (the most perfect crumbly cake ever!)

Franceschetta 58: The Osteria Francescana-affiliated brasserie, helmed by Francesco Vicenzi, serves exceptionally good cured meats and tortellini with the traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano cream. Go here for a taste of the Francescana philosophy at reasonable prices.

For a great meal, I recommend Franceschetta58 (also great for lunch), the little sister of Osteria Francescana (3 Michelin stars), one of the best restaurants in the world. Another Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant I can recommend is Ristorante l’Erba del Re.

Massimo was unable to accommodate us at his three Michelin star restaurant so instead we went to Franceschetta 58. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding. The atmosphere was very celebratory.

He also owns a casual restaurant in Modena, Franceschetta58, where both a tasting menu and a menu à la carte are offered. Reservations are easier to get for the bistro, and the food is excellent.

Book a table at Osteria Francescana (if you planned months in advance!) or try the more accessible Franceschetta58, also by chef Massimo Bottura, for a refined yet casual dining experience.

While in Italy, I visited the Michelin-star restaurant Osteria Francescana, and its cheaper sister bistro from the same chef, Franceschetta58.

We're already going to Franceschetta58 the previous evening and our second place we wanted to go, Zemiàn Piccola Osteria, is already full.