04 Osteria Francescana, Italy
Forget Rome or Milan – Modena, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, is the place to be if you’re looking for a meal that’s as thought-provocative as it is outstanding. With its origins going as far back as the third-century BCE, Modena is packed with history. Both its Piazza Grande and Duomo – completed in 1184 – are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while Modena is synonymous with the Italian motoring industry as famous marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati are, or were, located here (Ferrari, after all, had a car named after the city). Culinarily, Modena is known for its balsamic vinegar and, of course, Parmigiano-Reggiano. One of the city most famous sons is Massimo Bottura, founder and chef patron of the three Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana. Inspired by the world around him – among others, he cites art, music, slow food and fast cars – a meal here is a thoughtful journey that distils traditional Italian cuisine into elevated flavours that tease and tantalise. Every dish here has a story, and the wonderful thing about Osteria Francescana – which has been in the top five of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards since 2010 – is that you don’t need to know them to be thoroughly intrigued by what’s on the plate in front of you. osteriafrancescana.it
