Carisma In Modena

08/12/2025: All together a very nice restaurant. We visited it, because we stayed at the hotel. Great service, great food and reasonable prices.

12/11/2025: We recently had dinner at EXÉ Restaurant in Maranello, which is located inside the Executive Spa Hotel just a few minutes from the Ferrari Museum. It’s a stylish, modern space with sleek lines, soft lighting, and an atmosphere that clearly reflects the local Ferrari prestige — elegant, polished, and designed for a high-end dining experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance felt refined yet calm, with enough space between tables to feel comfortable and private, even with a stroller next to us. The service was excellent. We were welcomed by a Spanish waiter who spoke perfect Italian and was both kind and professional throughout the evening. He immediately noticed that we were dining with a baby and helped us rearrange the seating to make space for the stroller, which was such a thoughtful gesture. Throughout the meal he checked discreetly that everything was fine, making sure we felt relaxed. It’s rare to find such a genuine and attentive attitude in fine-dining restaurants, and it made a big difference. We started with pasta, which was good — well-cooked, nicely seasoned, and attractively presented. However, it felt a bit overpriced for what it was. For the main course, we ordered the Bistecca Fiorentina, which we had really been looking forward to. Unfortunately, this was the low point of the evening. The portion was generous, but the flavor just didn’t live up to expectations, especially considering the price of over €100. We’ve had better, more flavorful versions in simpler trattorias in the region. The wine was very good — smooth, elegant, and clearly well-selected — but with a substantial markup that reminded us of the luxury positioning of the restaurant. Dining here with a baby was perfectly manageable. The space is airy and quiet enough that we never felt in the way, and the staff handled the situation with complete naturalness — no awkward looks, no rush, just calm professionalism. For parents traveling through the area, that sense of ease is priceless. Overall, we’d give EXÉ Restaurant four stars. It’s one of the most luxurious dining options in the Maranello area, and the service truly stands out. However, you do need to be prepared to pay what I’d call the “Ferrari premium” — you’re paying as much for the setting and reputation as for the food itself. Worth visiting for the experience, especially if you value great service and elegant surroundings, but the dishes don’t quite justify the high prices. Would we return? Possibly, for a special occasion — the atmosphere and staff make it a pleasant choice, even with a baby — but next time we’d skip the Fiorentina and explore other options on the menu.