Lunch at Ristorante Cavallino

The world is stuffed with well-known eating places however for followers of Ferrari, there’s few higher identified than Maranello’s Ristorante Cavallino, reverse the gates of the Ferrari manufacturing facility.

To flee allied bombing, Enzo Ferrari moved the headquarters of his fledgling automobile firm from Modena to Maranello throughout World Battle II. Ferrari S.p.A. was based in 1947. As manufacturing elevated, the manufacturing facility in Maranello was expanded. Among the many new buildings constructed was a lunch canteen for the employees, situated on the alternative facet of By way of Abetone from the manufacturing services. It was named Ristorante Cavallino in 1950 and shortly turned a favorite place for Enzo Ferrari to dine with pals, drivers, noble friends and enterprise associates. It was in Ristorante Cavallino that Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Jean-Marie Balestre “signed the foundations of the Components 1 Concorde Settlement in 1981, earlier than returning in 1987 to debate the brand new competitors guidelines with Enzo Ferrari himself.” (Supply)

Ristorante Cavallino stays a preferred place of pilgrimage for Ferrari followers. It’s nonetheless owned by the corporate, and underwent a major renovation in the course of the pandemic. The normal yellow partitions and museum-like rooms could have disappeared, however the ‘new’ Cavallino stays unmistakably Ferrari. The surface partitions at the moment are a deep pink color and there’s splashes of Ferrari’s rosso corsa in options such because the restaurant’s new designer chairs. Entrance wings, monocoques and traditional posters adorn the partitions.

My go to to Ristorante Cavallino started with a improbable, six-course lunch of conventional Modenese delicacies. The model was effective eating and the parts have been small, however I undoubtedly didn’t depart the desk hungry. The meals was delicate and refined, and championed among the area’s greatest elements like Parmigiano Reggiano and Aceto Balsamico. I shouldn’t overlook to say the impeccably well mannered wait employees, all of whom spoke fluent English. There was even a employees member with Hungarian roots, as there must be. If you’re in search of a novel style of regional delicacies that’s not pizza or pasta, Ristorante Cavallino is extremely advisable.

Being handled to a luxurious six-course lunch is an actual pleasure, however I have to confess that what got here subsequent was even higher. My host, Giacomo, invited me for a personal tour of the restaurant, which included a go to to the previous personal eating room of Enzo Ferrari. It’s now utilized by Enzo’s son, Piero, who visits frequently with pals and enterprise associates. On the wall is an unique letter written in 1947 by Enzo Ferrari to Franco Cortese, who was the primary driver for Ferrari S.p.A. and would win the Turin Grand Prix later that yr.

Our secret tour continued one degree greater. On the highest of the steps, a gallery of images exhibiting Enzo with drivers and VIPs within the Fifties, Nineteen Sixties and Seventies. Two additional personal eating suites are situated on this higher degree. The primary options Modena-yellow porcelain plates and unique engineering drawings on the partitions, whereas the second homes Alberto Ascari’s winner’s trophy from the 1952 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. You don’t get to see or contact a relic of this historic significance day by day! You may as well entry the roof terrace from this degree, which presents distinctive views throughout By way of Abetone Inferiore to the gates of the Ferrari manufacturing facility. 

Ristorante Cavallino is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday, and for lunch on Sunday. View the present menu and make a reservation.