Culture, food and gelato - 3 weeks in Bella Italia
Jun 4, 2019, 1:50 pm
#185
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Modena: Duoma
From Parma we drove to Modena were we had dinner later this evening. First we went to the Cathedral which is part of UNESCO World Heritage.
The interior
The interior
Jun 4, 2019, 2:35 pm
#186
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Modena: Town Hall
After the Cathedral we went to the town hall. While it is still seat of the council it also has some historic rooms which can be visited. Entrance is free you must ask at the information. A guard gave us a tour of the rooms.
Jun 4, 2019, 3:17 pm
#187
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Modena: Galleria Estense
As we had still some time until our dinner started we visited Galleria Estense. We choose it as it was opened until 7 pm.
The Collection contains mainly of Italian paintings of the 14th to 18th century. We were the only guests and an older guard was happy to give us some tour.
A marble piano
This dude is following you
More paintings:
At 6:50 we were told to leave and they closed the gallery. I guess that´s Italian time-management
The Collection contains mainly of Italian paintings of the 14th to 18th century. We were the only guests and an older guard was happy to give us some tour.
A marble piano
This dude is following you
At 6:50 we were told to leave and they closed the gallery. I guess that´s Italian time-management
Jun 4, 2019, 4:31 pm
#188
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Dinner: Osteria Francescana Modena 3 stars
The hardest challenge of our journey was to get a table at Osteria Francescana. Many will know this Restaurant as it is quite famous. 3 Michelin stars and number 1 of San Pellegrino List for some years. The restaurant seems to be always fully booked, I was able to grab a table with the help of American Express concierge service.
The restaurant is located at a remote street, but metred parking is available one block away. There is this passage.
The restaurant from outside (still closed)
After we entered there was a little line with people who were questioned about their names. After the reservation was found they brought People to their tables. We were seated in a small room with 4 tables. A very technical welcome.
Mocktails, 20 € each
The menu, the meat courses were changed to vegetarian or pescetarian alternatives.
The dishes:
Well, how was everything? As often when visiting highly celebrated restaurants expectations were high. What we got was a good dinner, but I wasn´t blown away. 3 stars? Maybe in my eyes, but not sure. Also I didn´t enjoy the whole experience. Service was OK but not warm in any way and it seemed everything was rehearsed. For excample they did the same joke at every table when they served the main dessert. I can´t laugh when I sit at the forth table, I can´t even weary smile. The Food was as I said good but I don´t have around 2 months after our dinner one dish especially in mind.
When we got our bill it was 645,00 €, remind we don´t drink alcohol. As the figures were hand written (relatively illegible) I wasn´t able to add the figures to this sum. So I asked and learned they added 20,00 € to each of our menus for the changes. Not a big deal and I surely don´t care about 40,00 € much but no other restaurant during our journey billed us for changes. Also I think the vegetables were not really more expensive than the meat they offered.
Personally I don´t regret that I visited Osteria Francescana but if I´m in the region next time I woudn´t do it again. For me it´s far from the worlds best restaurant, it wasn´t even in the top 3 of our vacation. But I guess that´s the point when personal preferences has to be taken in account.
The restaurant is located at a remote street, but metred parking is available one block away. There is this passage.
The restaurant from outside (still closed)
After we entered there was a little line with people who were questioned about their names. After the reservation was found they brought People to their tables. We were seated in a small room with 4 tables. A very technical welcome.
Mocktails, 20 € each
The menu, the meat courses were changed to vegetarian or pescetarian alternatives.
The dishes:
Well, how was everything? As often when visiting highly celebrated restaurants expectations were high. What we got was a good dinner, but I wasn´t blown away. 3 stars? Maybe in my eyes, but not sure. Also I didn´t enjoy the whole experience. Service was OK but not warm in any way and it seemed everything was rehearsed. For excample they did the same joke at every table when they served the main dessert. I can´t laugh when I sit at the forth table, I can´t even weary smile. The Food was as I said good but I don´t have around 2 months after our dinner one dish especially in mind.
When we got our bill it was 645,00 €, remind we don´t drink alcohol. As the figures were hand written (relatively illegible) I wasn´t able to add the figures to this sum. So I asked and learned they added 20,00 € to each of our menus for the changes. Not a big deal and I surely don´t care about 40,00 € much but no other restaurant during our journey billed us for changes. Also I think the vegetables were not really more expensive than the meat they offered.
Personally I don´t regret that I visited Osteria Francescana but if I´m in the region next time I woudn´t do it again. For me it´s far from the worlds best restaurant, it wasn´t even in the top 3 of our vacation. But I guess that´s the point when personal preferences has to be taken in account.
Jun 5, 2019, 11:00 am
#192
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Ravenna: Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra
Next we went to Domus dei Tappeti which means house of stone floors. You enter the sight through the church S. Eufemia.
The ancient mosaics are in the basement in a separate museum.
The ancient mosaics are in the basement in a separate museum.
Jun 5, 2019, 11:37 am
#194
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Ravenna: Archiepiscopal Museum
Next to the Archiepiscopal Museum. There are some interesting artefacts.
The most importan is the throne of Maximian
Some more art
Part of the Museum is also the impressive Archbishop's Chapel
The most importan is the throne of Maximian
Some more art
Part of the Museum is also the impressive Archbishop's Chapel
