Modena, Italy is a cute little town in Northern Italy. It’s known for being the home to expensive car makers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. It’s also home to one of my favorite restaurants – da Enzo (maybe a little lesser know than those automobiles).
There’s nothing better than a home-cooked meal made by mom with a little extra love inside right? Whatever your go to dish is, that feeling of either being with your family or treated like family makes a meal special. And that’s exactly what da Enzo serves up.
After flying 12 hours across the Atlantic, taking a forty-minute drive, walking to the town square, I was in desperate need of a home-cooked meal. So, thank goodness I was in Italy – where home-made cooking is a staple. I quickly found myself eating in one of the most authentic Italian restaurants and being treated just like I had lived there my whole life. From the appetizers to the wine to the attentive waiter who guaranteed I ate in true Modenese fashion, Da Enzo has my foodie heart.
Da Enzo is located in the center of Modena, Italy and can be tricky to find. You have to walk down a little side alley way and up some stairs to the second floor to find yourself in a little piece of heaven. This hideaway is very popular amongst the locals so make sure you have a reservation before heading over. I was in the mood for something traditional so looked to our waiter for advice – and he didn’t disappoint. He brought out handmade tagielle and gnocco frito, each accompanied with pork fat, balsamic vinegar and parmesan. TRY IT ALL. AND REPEAT. It was unreal. Some of the best food I’ve had in Italy (which is saying something!).
After making sure every last bite was finished and savored, it was on to the next course. Tortellini. The waiter showed us how to pour the Lambrusco red wine into the broth to make a pinkish color. The sweet mixture made the tortellini that much better with each bite.
Finally, we finished the meal with a filet covered in Modenese balsamic vinegrette. The balsamic was thick, aged and delicious – a taste you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world. Smother that filet with some mashed potatoes and you’ve got yourself a meal worth a lot more than the price. Our waiter and the entire staff made sure to make us feel at home, explained each course to us, and gave us an experience rather than just dinner. Our bellies were way too full for dessert, giving us the best reason to come back.
What’s your favorite spot in Italy?
You can check out some of my favorite trips in Italy here!