21/09/2025: Beautiful location for dinners and aperitifs.
13/09/2025: This evening I returned to Café Matisse for dinner, having not been there in a while and still craving it.
The restaurant is located in Viadana, in the province of Mantua (Lombardy).
As usual, I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and kindness of the staff: qualities that are now rare in restaurants, almost as if they were forgotten virtues. At Café Matisse, however, the art of hospitality is still carefully cultivated.
The ambiance deserves special mention, distinguished by a style that is both formal and innovative, accompanied by pleasant background music that contributes to the harmonious and relaxing atmosphere.
Moving on to the dishes:
For my appetizer, I enjoyed a potato and spinach tart with Parmigiano Reggiano cream. A combination that, while it may seem predictable, proved to be balanced and completely successful. A small tip: the sage leaf used as a garnish would not be out of place if also inserted into the cream, as an additional aromatic note.
I then moved on to a Chianina beef burger, served with fresh vegetables and baked potatoes. The meat revealed a flavor both bold and refined; I opted for medium-rare, executed with mastery. The meat was rested properly, preventing any juices from escaping—an unmissable technical detail that deserves praise from the kitchen team.
Finally, for dessert, I chose a creamy mascarpone with saffron and hazelnut crumble. I must admit, I would have expected a more punchy finish. The combination of saffron and hazelnuts was interesting, although the hazelnuts were overpoweringly overpowered by the saffron. The cream, while full-bodied, soft, and silky on the palate, lacked the depth of flavor that would have made the dessert truly memorable.
In conclusion, Café Matisse confirms itself as a place worth experiencing, not only for the quality of its dishes, but also for its refined atmosphere and the selection of drinks that complement and enrich the dining experience. An ideal stop for those seeking an evening of taste and pleasant conviviality.
A sincere and heartfelt compliment goes to all the staff at Café Matisse: from the kitchen to the dining room, each one contributes with professionalism, elegance, and grace to making this venue a benchmark in Mantua's dining scene.
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