L'Erba del Re
Modena, Italy
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Adjacent to one of the oldest churches in Modena - Santa Maria della Pomposa dating back to the medieval period (façade) and rebuilt in 1717 - this restaurant with its modern and essential atmosphere, with contemporary paintings on the walls and only 9 tables, is located in a palace. The menu includes a tasting route dedicated to historical Emilian recipes - from tortellini in capon broth to tagliatelle with Modenese ragù - another in which you can rely on the chef's latest innovations, a vegetarian route and finally, à la carte, a choice of various dishes that have marked the restaurant's history.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique or unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant L'Erba del Re in Modena:
1. Surprising and Creative Vegetarian Menu
Despite being located in Modena, a city known for its traditional meat and pasta dishes, L'Erba del Re offers a highly creative vegetarian menu called Espressione Vegetariana. This menu features unexpected ingredient combinations and showcases excellent technique in balancing textures, temperatures, and flavors, which is unusual for the region's typical cuisine dominated by meat and fresh pasta.
2. Intimate and Minimalist Setting with Contemporary Art
The restaurant is housed in a recently restored period palazzo near one of Modena’s oldest churches, Santa Maria della Pomposa. It has a modern, minimalist interior with only nine tables, creating an intimate dining experience. The walls are adorned with contemporary paintings, blending historic architecture with modern artistic expression.
3. Multiple Menu Options Including Historic Emilian Recipes
L'Erba del Re offers a variety of menus catering to different tastes: a tasting menu focused on historic Emilian recipes such as tortellini in capon broth and tagliatelle in Modena-style ragù; a menu featuring the chef’s latest innovative dishes; a vegetarian menu; and an à la carte menu with house specialties. This diversity allows diners to experience both tradition and creativity in one place.
These features distinguish L'Erba del Re as a Michelin-starred restaurant that respects local culinary heritage while pushing boundaries with creativity and inclusivity.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant L'Erba del Re in Modena include:
Five types of meat in ragù: beef, pork loin, pancetta, mortadella, and veal. These meats are cut into large pieces, braised, then shredded by hand to create a ragù with deep, rich flavor and superior texture compared to ground meat. This ragù is a signature dish reflecting traditional Modenese cuisine with a complex taste profile, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, without garlic.
Capon broth: used in traditional tortellini dishes, highlighting historic Emilian recipes served at the restaurant. This broth is a key element in the tasting menu, showcasing the region's culinary heritage.
Vegetables and legumes: featured in creative reinterpretations such as the "Zuppa di fagioli" (bean soup) that plays with textures and varieties to elevate a traditional legume soup.
Mallard broth and vegetable sauce: used in innovative dishes like the "Ramen, vegetable sauce, mallard broth," which pays tribute to Japanese cuisine while incorporating Emilian tradition, demonstrating the chef’s creative fusion approach.
Traditional Modenese products (sourced from local markets like Mercato Albinelli): including Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Modena, and traditional balsamic vinegar, which are staples in many dishes and represent the rich culinary heritage of the region.
These ingredients are significant as they combine local tradition with modern culinary techniques, forming the foundation of L'Erba del Re's signature dishes that balance authenticity, complexity, and innovation. The ragù with its blend of meats is particularly emblematic of the restaurant's approach to elevating classic Modenese flavors.