L'Erba del Re In Modena

This restaurant is definitely recommended for those traveling to the Emilia region. The classic course, which brings Emilia's traditional cuisine to its highest level of perfection, allows you to experience the amazingly straightforward deliciousness.

On Saturday evening, the feast day of San Geminiano, I dined here with a friend. The restaurant has limited seating and well-spaced tables, typical of a Michelin-starred establishment: the atmosphere is pleasant and quiet, despite the city celebrating and the packed restaurant. We opted for the à la carte menu: two appetizers, a first course for me, and a second course for her. Everything was excellent, with the raw seafood among the appetizers being truly exceptional. The chef came over at the end of the meal to say goodbye—super friendly and clearly passionate about his cuisine. The real highlight? The desserts! The gnocco fritto and the artisanal panettone with warm cream melt in your mouth, unforgettable. The only flaw: the staff seems a bit inexperienced. They speak too quietly and come to our table too often (and there are even too many of them in the dining room when it's not necessary). But overall, a top-notch experience, worth returning!

The experience at this restaurant is intimate and subtle. I definitely recommend it. I tried the "Espressione" tasting: few frills, but a substance of incredible techniques and truly unique pairings! My experience here spanned 10 courses (it was hard to get to the end, but I really wanted to try everything). I could have eaten every dish again, and among the ones that surprised me the most was the dessert (coconut and black garlic)... incredible! A super creative combination that I would never have thought so delicious! For those who truly appreciate the value of Cuisine, this is a must-see, and the chef is a man worth getting to know—decisive, yet open to dialogue. And while it's true that tastes are subjective, a proposal like this is incredibly interesting and anything but predictable!

An unforgettable evening. We chose the tasting menu: "Hunting with the Chef." The dishes were truly tasty, refined, and balanced, with sophisticated and elaborate presentation. Traditional flavors and new combinations were a constant throughout. The staff was highly trained, impeccable, and friendly. We definitely can't wait to return to try the à la carte menu, which looked very interesting.

I returned on Saturday, intrigued by the new "hunting" menu. Completely satisfied! Welcoming place, impeccable service.

Some learn to cook out of hunger, some by chance, some out of love. And then there's Luca Marchini, who's been cooking since he was in shorts. He's the owner of L'Erba del Re, a restaurant with a regal name but a regional soul. His approach remains that of a curious young man, raised amidst the aromas of cooking, but always looking beyond the confines of the plate. Rigour, yes, but never rigidity. Technique, certainly, but without presumption. For the Tuscan Marchini, cooking has never been an improvised profession. In his dishes, in fact, there's always a subtle balance between roots and vision. Passatello reinvents itself, tortellino becomes a liar, turbot disguises itself as an abstract work. All dishes are well-orchestrated, as if Emilia had just enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts. Marchini is also an economist by training, a detail that explains the clarity with which he has built a gastronomic empire comprising a restaurant, catering, school, events, and social projects, all without ever stopping to work in the kitchen. The turbot with buttermilk and whisky sauce is a dish that speaks of technique, courage, and that curious youth that, upon closer inspection, never ends. Elegant, he is. Elegance on and off the plate.

Reviewing places like this seems almost impossible to me. This isn't a restaurant... it's an experience. Ours was a gift, I think the best we could have received... The "Espressione" menu (which I highly recommend) was a journey of discovery into the studios of Chef Luca Marchini, who, accompanied by his drawings, gave us an even deeper understanding of how he thinks and creates his works of art. The wine pairings were always very relevant to the dishes we were offered. I recommend this menu to anyone willing to try completely new and unexpected flavors; otherwise, the more traditional menu will suit you (I assume that's also delicious). The staff was very kind and competent. The atmosphere was very refined. I definitely want to return here in my life; it's a magical place in the center of Modena.

Fantastic experience. The welcome was perfect, albeit a little cold, but it soon melted into friendly professionalism. The chef was present, very friendly, and absolutely professional. He was thorough in explaining the dishes, as was his entire staff. I highly recommend it. I plan on returning as soon as possible. 👍 In