We had the pleasure of dining at both of Massimo's restaurants in Modena proper, the same day. I've been struggling to come up with the words for my review because, honestly, both experiences were outstanding. Lunch at Franceschetta was absolutely lovely. From checking in, to being seating, to the conversations with the som and our server. We took our time and enjoyed the experience. We split a few of the pastas (which could all be GF except the stuffed) and each had a burger (which had a GF bun, for me, my husband had the traditional.) We honestly struggled with not ordering the whole menu, but restrained ourselves since we had dinner at Osteria Francescana later. 10/10 and will absolutely go back next time are in Modena! read more

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What an excellent restaurant in Modena and very reasonably priced the service and food were both outstanding I will definitely come back! read more

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We did both Franceschetta and Osteria and I ended up liking the meal at Franceschetta more. The Italian classics all executed to perfection and some spins on modern American fare. My favorite dishes were the hamburger and the tortellini, although almost everything deserved five stars. Honorable mention for the Zuppa di Inglese, which was the perfect cap to the meal. The service was exceptional especially the sommelier who gave us what felt like a 15 minute overview of the perfect wine to pair. It was particularly special being there in the off season when there were almost no tourists. 1. 36 month aged pancetta (5/5) 2. Emilia Burger (5/5) 3. Tortellini by Tortellante (5/5) 4. Penne alla Bosciala (5/5) 5. Roast guinea fowl (4/5) 6. Sant'Anna Plums (4/5) 7. Zuppa Inglese (5/5) read more

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A bit of a trek from Modena Centro but worth the steps. If you want to sample Massimo Bottura / Osteria Francescana without booking 6 months in advance this might be for you. We still had to book this venue months ahead. The tasting menu with 3 glasses was a great pairing - there's a 5 glass option if someone is carrying you home. The food was delightful and the service very friendly. If it's a box you wish to check it's recommended ... but there's lot of options in the area with authentic cuisine for a more modest price point. The Emilia Burger literally had me giggling in its presentation and was sublime. read more

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3.5 My dream and first choice to have dinner is at Osteria Francescana. I could not afford and could not get in anyway, so I decided to make a reservation at Franceschetta 58, its sister restaurant. Starter - Low-temperature cooked egg, Malga Cheese Sauce, Black Truffle - Emilia Burger by Massimo Bottura First - "Chitarra" Spaghetti with Chicory, Anchovies Cream and Crispy Chilli Bread Main - Pork Belly with Morello Cherry Sauce, Spinach and Marinated Shallot - Roasted Octopus, Smoked Cauliflower Puree, Artichoke and Octopus Emulsion We really enjoyed the food and it is a modern take on Emilia-Romagna's cuisine using local ingredients. How come no dessert?! Sadly the kitchen service was extremely slow. It took us 2.5 hours just to get through the 4 item we ordered! We have a midnight train to catch and we have to skip the most important part of the meal! It is so sad that the delayed between courses really affect our dining experience. I probably won't be back but will save up and one day I will be back to dine in Osteria Francescana next time I am in Modena. A foodie can only dream... read more

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Like many of you, I am a huge fan of Massimo. I've been following his culinary arts ever since I saw him on Chefs table. My bf and I weren't able to get reservations to Osteria Francescana (and let me tell me, boy did I try) but lucky us, we found this spot only a few miles from Osteria. Reservations are required and they take it very seriously. The dress code is casual and the ambience is very relaxing. The menu really surprised me as I was expecting a very Italian menu full of pastas. What was listed was the complete opposite. A very well mixed menu consisting of Asian, Latin and Italian infused foods. My favorite thing on the menu? The tar tar and the wine (always the wine). Oh wait, and the tiramisu! Everything... just everything was excellent. read more

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I think everyone going to Modena for fine food wants to eat at Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana. But reservations can be impossible to get. So we went to his sister restaurant, Franceschetta58 on the other side of town and it was wonderful. They have 5 course and 7 course tasting menus but we did the a la carte menu with wine pairings. The staff is excellent and young - I'll bet none of them are out of their 20s. It they are professional and knowledgeable and helpful. We had the Massimo burgers - 2 mini burgers with a pesto type sauce, the artichoke ravioli which were made from the most tender and soft pasta, the smoked eel risotto and the cod wrapped in ultra thin red and green peppers. To end the meal we had the Parmesan Cheese tasting - 5 different Parmesans aged from 30 to 120 months. A great way to end a great meal. I'll keep trying to get a table at Massimo's Osteria, but until then Franceschetta58 will be just fine. At the end of the meal, they even called us a taxi! read more

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We went there for a business dinner with clients and the food and service were amazing. HOWEVER, the evening was spoiled by the staff allowing a child to watch cartoons on her phone on speaker and at top volume during the WHOLE dinner. The parents later joined her with FaceTime on speaker phone. No action from the staff! Really a pity that such a classy place allowed such un-classy behavior read more

Like most other yelpers here, I found out about Franceschetta 58 after I was unable to get a res at Osteria Francesca. I was luckily able to get a last minute res here on a Saturday night at 8:30pm. The interior is quaint and cozy, I loved the mismatched and colorful decor, especially the different ornate dishes along the wall. I ordered the I heart Modena tasting (70 euro), and my partner ordered the Tradition in Evolution (50 euro). We also got a glass of Lambrusco wine (a very reasonable 5 or 6 euro!) and a cold cut platter (around 13 euro). The meal was very good and while both tasting menus and appetizer were delicious, I didn't feel like they were mind blowing, and some courses were a miss. The stand outs for us were the duck breast, tongue, pancetta,and the cucumber/citrus cream amuse bouche. On the other hand, we didn't particularly enjoy the branzino (sauce was too peppery) and the eel risotto (eel sauce was too strong). One thing to note is that the pacing of the meal was a little slower than I am used to for you to enjoy at a leisurely pace. In total, the meal for us took around 2.5 hours including our appetizer and dessert. We also took full advantage of the amazing and diverse selection of the bread basket! They also have an extensive a la carte/ regular menu if you don't want to do the tasting menu. Overall, I would recommend Franceschetta 58 for a nice meal in Modena that doesn't break the bank, but it's not a must go spot in my opinion. read more

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Three hours later. One server and three support staff doesn't cut it. Take a nap before you go we were not alone in falling asleep at the table. Take a nap before or better yet don't go. read more

This was my first meal in Modena. We actually were a bit ambitious and got back to back reservations to Franceschetta 58 for lunch and Osteria Francescana for dinner. I don't know if reservations are that hard to get or you can just walk in, but you can make reservations one calendar month prior (ie starting Oct 1 for any date in November). F58 is located a bit outside the city center, and was the only time we ventured out of it for our 30 hour stay but the space itself is warm and quaint, with a nice I Modena window decal to what I assume is an homage to Chef Massimo's time in NYC. We decided to exercise some control and just do the Smart Lunch, a €25 3-course meal. This includes a delicious warm bread basket (the onion was my favorite) but doesn't include beverages. We decided to stick to local and have some lambrusco to drink. We ordered: Starters: - Emilia Burger: the meat was delicious, well seasoned, and came paired with two nice sauces, reminiscent of chimichurri and a demi-glace - Cremed cod, chickpea purée, hazelnuts, "crusco" pepper and mushroom broth Main: - "Orecchiette" pasta with "Burrata" mozzarella, anchovies, confit cherry tomatoes, thyme and bottarga: This was hard to wrap my mind around because I didn't mind the flavors but it was cold and creamy. The cherry tomatoes added much needed brightness to break up the other flavors but I just don't particularly like eating cold creamy food. - "Amatriciana" in Modena: The first bite was really good but it continued to eat very salty and heavy with all the cheese and pork fat Dessert: - Passion fruit custard, dark chocolate cookie and caramelized pine nuts: I love passion fruit, so this was always gonna go down well for me. It had a great harmony of tart, sweet, slightly bitter with good texture. All in all, a decent meal with good options but I think your experience can vary a lot depending on which Choose Your Adventure route you take. read more

We were very, very disappointed ! We enjoy travel and a food experience , however this was NOT worth the trip to Modena!! Franceschetta 58 was the only bad meal that we have had in Italy. Do not waste your time or money!!! read more

Perfect lunch -- there are a few multi course options to choose from and none can lead you astray. The place is smart casual/elegant in design with some whimsical flares. I think this is how fine dining is best enjoyed in fact -- not stuffy but still upscale. I really enjoyed the "Orecchiette" pasta with "Burrata" mozzarella, anchovies, confit cherry tomatoes, thyme and bottarga on the smart lunch menu. I'd give it 5/5. The Tortellini in Parmigiano Reggiano fondue was also phenomenal. I'd give this 5/5. The Emilia burger was really a 3.5/5 for me. Not entirely balanced. That said, I think you can taste the genius of world famous chef for a fraction of the price and that's a good deal in my book. read more

Lovely food, ambiance, and service. Visited twice a week apart and enjoyed both visits just as much. Three prix fixe menus accommodate your budget and hunger. Great wine list - both bottle and by the glass. Budget at least 2.5 hours if you choose the larger menu. read more

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if you can't afford 300 euros to dine at osteria francescana (or if you never get off their wait list), their sister restaurant is a delectable second-best option. we did their all you can eat lunch buffet, and for 19 euros a person (not including beverages), we stuffed ourselves with a plethora of delicious hot and cold options. Hot dishes (plated for you by friendly servers) ranged from lasagna to chicken and pork, while cold dishes included charcuterie, salads, out-of-this-world focaccia, and desserts. while we weren't disappointed with anything we tried, the homemade pasta and breads were scrumptious. however the standout was ABSOLUTELY the ricotta. even my ricotta-hating husband said it was his favorite dish so far in italy. maybe one day we will make it to the #1 restaurant in the world, but until then, this is a more-than-acceptable second best. read more

Franceschetta 58 - fun decor in a cozy space - Brasseries Near Me - Modena, Missouri

We came all the way from Denver to enjoy Osteria Francescana but first dinner of this trip was at Franceschetta58. Definitely a wonderful experience with impeccable service and delicious dishes. My two favorites are the burger sliders and eel risotto while my husband immersed himself in tortellini heaven. read more

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Since we were less than 4 months out, we couldn't get a table at Osteria Francescana. However, I was able to get a reservation for its sister restaurant, Francescshetta 58, and I was excited for the menu. It was a little farther from the city center, but I needed the walk before more carb loading They actually have a good number of wines by the glass. I started with a drier Lambrusco and then tried a mimmo from Piedmonte. Ultimately, my favorite was a Valpolicella from Veneto (bold, earthy), which held up well to the richer pastas. Rather than doing 3 of the same pre fixe meal, we opted to mix and match from the menu. Amuse: 1. Pumpkin purée, crispy bacon, parmigiano reggiano cream - this was a pretty big portion as an amuse 2. Breads: better than most we've had in Italy - Polenta cracker - Focaccia - Roll: good for wiping up the sauces Starters: 1. Salumi plate: coppa, salami, mortadella, cured pancetta 2. Low temperature cooked egg with parmigiano reggiano fondue, black truffle, Jerusalem artichoke (crisped on top). This was a rich dish but was really good. It was round 2 of the parmigiano cream. It's hard to share, so I would get one per person 3. Creamed cod with mushroom sauce: more refined than any of the other creamed cod we've had 4. Emilia burger: slider sized, two per order. There was a green sauce and a wonderful balsamic with it. The beef itself was pretty tender. I liked this a lot Pastas: maybe one of everything wasn't the best idea since portions were pretty big 1. Orecchiette with burrata, anchovies, confit tomatoes, bottarga. A little too creamy for me in the end, very saucy. However, the pasta texture was great 2. Amatriciana: spaghetti with a cheesy red sauce and lots of crisped bacon on top. This was my favorite 3. Black spaghetti with sardines, lemon, wild fennel. Definitely a lot of squid ink. The pasta was super dark and intense. It was good, but only in small amounts 4. Passatelli in mushroom broth with horseradish and truffle: the lightest of the pastas since it was a light broth. The mushrooms and truffles were great, but I wasn't as big a fan of this pasta Esther 5. Tonnarelli with mussels, shrimps, lemon: red sauce based, sweet, food texture. I liked this one 6. Tortellini with parmigiano reggiano sauce: good tortellini, but again, quite rich I think the starters were the highlights. The pasta portions were huge, and they were all on the heavier side. By the end of the meal, I think we were done with parmigiano reggiano cream. Normally, the 3 of us can eat a lot, but we couldn't finish any of the pastas and were all uncomfortably full when we left. In the end, I think it was €187 total, which wasn't bad considering how much food we got (we probably could have fed two other people). With the starters, I could definitely see this place being the "little sister" of Osteria Francescana. I think I would have enjoyed the pastas more if I had better planned for portion size (or if I had stopped myself after just a few bites of each pasta). Having had a taste of Massimo Batura's food, I definitely want to get a reservation for Osteria Francescana and come back to Modena. read more

Like many, my husband and I found ourselves at Franceschetta 58 after being unable to get off the waitlist at Osteria Francescana. We read through the mixed reviews of Franceschetta 58 and decided to give it a shot. We went for the smart lunch which was three courses. The price was reasonable but the food was forgettable. We tried a variety of dishes, the Emilia burger, the Chinese "bun," pasta alla gricia, and pork belly. The burger was good but nothing special. The bun was drowning in a sour cream based sauce that completely overwhelmed the rest of the flavors and quickly turned the bun soggy. The first bite of the pasta was good but it was so salty that I couldn't finish it. Pork belly also was extremely salty. After the first two courses, we waited 30 minutes for dessert. I left confused and underwhelmed. read more

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So his other restaurant was booked... we came here instead. The only thing I can say is - OH MY GOD! If the food was this amazing here... I definitely need to plan another Italy trip just for his other restaurant! Bellisimo!!! read more

Franceschetta 58 - Brasseries Near Me - Modena, Missouri

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Actually very disappointed at most of the dishes I got here :( Most of the stuff we got were very salty. It was too salty that I'd rather just waste my money not not finish the dish. Nothing was mind blowing and there were more dishes that we didn't enjoy than the ones that we did. So that's kind of sad. The decor of the space and the plates were on point in my opinion, so that was a good plus. read more

While in Italy we had to go through Modena, because of Osteria Francescana. While we did not get an immediate confirmation on our reservation there, we decided to have dinner here too. I enjoyed it very much! A bit pricey compared to the rest of the country, but the taste is complex, play on textures is fabulous. We ordered - Low-temperature cooked egg, Parmigiano Reggiano fondue, black truffle, Jerusalem artichoke That was amazing! - Fassona beef tartare with chives, sugar snap peas, and yogurt Not so much love here - Orecchiette with "Burrata" mozzarella, anchovies, confit tomatoes, thyme and bottarga This I will eat everyday! - Tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano sauce The flavor of cheese was overpowering everything else, but al dente tortellini was good. - Laquered veal tongue, Jerusalem artichoke, salsa verde and grilled lettuce Fatty and tender. Loved it! - Monkfish saltimbocca with crispy lentils, Romanesco broccoli, and guanciale It was good but not as good as veal tongue. - bottle of wine for €28 Totally with tip we paid €125 My least favorite dish was the steak tartare. It did not have much-underlying notes to it. Tasted one dimensional, and sour cream on top did not help at all. Overall, this place is definitely worth the visit when you are in Modena. read more

Franceschetta 58 - Primi: Orecchiette with "Burrata" mozzarella, anchovies, confit tomatoes, thyme and bottarga - Brasseries Near Me - Modena, Missouri

Very formal but friendly, amazing service. Tasting menu plus wine pairing over $500 each. Wines wonderful, tasting menu we had not worth it. None of the dishes were memorable and some almost inedible. As 3 star Michelin and "one of the best in the world" it was stunningly below accolades. Even our friends who advised us to go sheepishly admitted when we got home that they too were disappointed. We have had several tasting menus at wonderful restaurants over the years, all of them much better. Jaan in Singapore, 2 star Michelin, was our favorite so far, hands down. read more

I'm 2 hours into the 4 course "Tradition in Evolution" course and we're still waiting for dessert to arrive. Be prepared to wait about 30 minutes between each course and make it known when your table has run out of water. I'm all for taking our time and enjoying a nice long lunch but I feel as though I spent most of the time staring at an empty table. With service that just wasn't there. The food was solid as expected but I really couldn't imagine coming back. The burger was good but its actually a "slider," the tortellini was the star of the meal. The ribs were a little too sweet but nonetheless tasty. read more

Great restaurant and totally worth it to stop by. Very good prices and really good food. Definitely an alternative to osteria Francescana read more

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Best food in town. I tried the smart menu €19 per person without beverage that included a starter (my choice was a Songino salad with green beans, crispy bacon, balsamic vinegar from Modena!! And Parmiggiano Reggiano Chips +Main Course = "Alla Gricia" spaghetti + dessert of the day that amazed me: coffee ustard, orange, dark chocolate cookie and raspberries . Simply espectacular. read more

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My sister and I had a great lunch while traveling through Modena for the afternoon. We were able to walk in and get a table, (off season in November). Our lunch choices gave a full palate of tastes and textures. We relished every bite. I recommend lunch here if you are in Modena. Maybe next time we will make reservations in advance and dine at Osteria Francescana. read more

Came here because we obviously could not get a reservation at Massimo's other restaurant. We were highly disappointed food wise. Came here for lunch and ordered the pork belly bun, which was very very salty. I almost wanted to say something to the waitress but i decided not to insult them. We also ordered the octopus which comes out uncut, which was a little overwhelming if you can imagine. The dessert was very underwhelming and a weak attempt at making something so simple so complicated. I wouldnt recommend this place to my friends or family. I would rather just wait and get a table at the real thing (osteria francescana) read more

Perfection in creative cuisine. Complete culinary experience. Tried many plates of the lunch menu and everything was spectacular.

Simply the best meal we had in Italy during a two-week trip to Rome (four days) and Emilia Romagna (10 days). We ate in Modena, Parma, Mantua and other places and this was in every way the best. Honestly, we looked at Osteria Francescana, but thought it would be a little too high-concept, science-as-gastronomy for us. Luckily, our Modena B&B host told us about this place. The food here is closer to traditional preparations, but with unique twists that elevate each dish to a higher (but not too high) level. Just Goldilocks perfect. The welcome and service is very professional but also warm and helpful with menu and wine suggestions (everyone spoke beautiful English). The tasting menu is a tremendous deal. The creativity, preparation and presentation are unmatched for a restaurant at this level. Please, if you are in Modena, or even in the region, go here. You will not be disappointed. read more

While our ultimate goal was to dine at Osteria Francescana, months of trying netted no reservations for us. But we popped into the restaurant as a last ditch effort, and we sure are glad we did. The nice people at the osteria walked us across the street to their reservations office, where the wonderful folks were eager to accommodate us. They first attempted to find a cancellation for us (as if THAT ever happens), and when that didn't work out, they made a lovely suggestion - Franceschetta58. We had heard of the bistro from our cooking instructor in Verona, but assumed we'd be too late for a reservation there as well. Well, the kind young reservationists were able to squeeze all six of us in for lunch that afternoon! We had such a great experience after all. We all ate from the tasting menu. Due to a dietary restriction, the waitress was able to allow us a substitution on one of the courses, which we really appreciated. Every item was delicious! And when I inquired about the cake included with our divine dessert, the waitress was sweet enough to provide me with the recipe, after going through the trouble to translate it into English and everything. I felt like I'd been given a gift! So, while the osteria would have been our first choice, we were certainly not disappointed at all by Franceschetta58. Thank you for a wonderful experience, and thank you to the lovely young folks in the reservation office for your assistance and patience with us! Visited July 2016 read more

My MIL made a reservation here for lunch and it did not disappoint. The food quality was excellent. Most of our family members ordered from the smart menu and loved the pork belly. If you decide to make a side trip to Modena or to the Ferrari tour, stop by here for lunch or dinner. read more