Get Lost with Lisa

A Hosteria with History

Let’s go back to the late 1800s. That’s right, just a few years ago. When the late great poet Giosuè Carducci was still around wowing everyone with his pen and paper. The poet was a regular at the hosteria and after some time they renamed it after him. Given the status of the name, it seemed a sin to change it to anything else or to turn the structure into a different type of business. And that is why it is still a hosteria to this day. The only change throughout the years being the owner. The current head chef is also the proprietor of the fine establishment, and we had a chance to chat the day I came in for lunch. Which also happened to be on my birthday.

For the past 6 years Claudio has been running things at Hosteria Carducci. And he’s seen an increase in business during these 6 years. While there are many tourists who come in for a meal on a regular basis, it’s by word of mouth in the small town of Modena, that many Modenese are now popping in as well.

His prices are not low, but there are some reasons behind that. Claudio goes to great effort to make sure the quality of all of his products are of the highest caliber. For instance, he goes all the way to another city just to purchase the balsamic vinaigrette that they use at the restaurant. His olive oil comes from Latina. If you don’t know where that is, look at a map and you’ll be shocked. Modena is in Northern Italy, while Latina is in Lazio – around an hour south of Rome!

But there aren’t just tourists from abroad that come in for some pasta. It’s also Italians from different parts of the country. Because Modena is rich in its history and culture, there are many events that attract people from around the country and from around the world. This in turn affords him more traffic coming into his hosteria.

To Eat, or Not to Eat?

Now onto the food. Where do I begin? As usual, I did you all a favor and ordered as much as my belt loops would allow me that day. The top things I would recommend when coming in here are as follows.

1. Gnocci al Ragu. Don’t just nod your head and roll your eyes at the stereotypically sounding dish. It’s really worth ordering here. This was by far and away the best thing that they gave me to try, and it would be a shame not to mention it.

2. Maialino.  Essentially it’s the same as Stinco al Forno. Which is roasted pork shank. The meat was extremely tender and marinated in a delicious broth.

3. Their salami. Honestly, go ahead and indulge in some of their antipasto which is a selection of different salamis and cheeses. The salami was really delicious, and I’m not just saying that.

But don’t listen to me. The public seems to like their Gnocci Fritto (fried gnocci) with salami – a customary Modenese dish. And, their second most popular item is apparently their Tortellino.

When asked why people should come to Hosteria Carducci instead of somewhere else in Modena, Claudio smiles at me.

“The main reason people should come here to this hosteria,” he says, “is for the history. And the second most important reason is for the food,” he laughs wholeheartedly.

Their wine list is also an endless novel of every bottle you could possibly think of.  And don’t worry, the wine is good too. I had some. I can confirm it.

So the next time you’re in Modena scoping out your future Ferrari, stop in at Hosteria Carducci. And make sure to tell them Lisa sent you!