The CAVALLINO restaurant, a tribute to Ferrari as a symbol of Italy throughout the world, opens a new wave of the creativity by the illustrious Chef Massimo Bottura, bringing together passion and emotions, preserving the successes and memories that marked the history of the legendary brand within its original walls, and evoking the powerful, pioneering spirit of its founder Enzo Ferrari.
The CAVALLINO restaurant was first opened in 1950 on Via Abetone Inferiore in Maranello, opposite the famous Ferrari car factory, and after several years of closure, it reopened its doors in 2021.
How It All Began
CAVALLINO has been a Ferrari legacy since 1942, when Enzo Ferrari purchased the land of the former Fondo Cavani and a small farmhouse that was used as a canteen, dressing room and workforce training center. After that, he opened a restaurant in this place, where he usually met with staff, customers and close friends for lunch in a private room, where he liked to watch the Grand Prix.
Regular guests included Gioacchino Colombo, who designed the first Ferrari 125S sports car in 1945, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Princess Lillian of Belgium, legendary racing driver Jackie Stewart and many of the drivers and mechanics who have been part of the Ferrari team for decades.
The contemporary reinterpretation of this space brings back to the forefront the authentic simplicity of a cult destination that is part of the Maranello legend.
The updated CAVALLINO embodies the concept of hospitality and cordiality, where every guest can become part of the Ferrari universe, breathe the same atmosphere and ideals that guided the founder and all those who actively contributed to the formation of the legend for almost 75 years.
The restaurant has been completely refurbished and redesigned by the studio of the Franco-Iranian designer and architect India Mahdavi, which has revived its personality, design, interior architecture and garden, combining comfort and taste, bringing to the fore the idea of simplicity and a warm, homely environment.
In the old farmhouse building, with its new red façade, India Mahdavi has played with the traditional decorative vocabulary of the Italian trattoria and all its architectural codes and furniture, inspired by the Ferrari world, by its spirit of conquest, its audacity and its joyful prestige.
The halls of the restaurant are connected by arches that rhythmically divide the space and create perspectives, the floor is covered with traditional checkerboard terracotta tiles, and oak paneling on the walls, against which tables and benches made of yellow leather are leaning, delightfully outline the rooms. On the walls, rare celebratory collections of photographs, posters, souvenirs and memorabilia reveal the spirit and decades of Ferrari’s industrial and sporting history.
The Prancing Horse logo has been pixelated and applied on many surfaces and materials – on perforated metal for the entrance gate, glass mosaic on the walls, on the restaurant’s wallpaper and even in the Burano lace that adorns the white net curtains on the windows.
Enzo Ferrari’s favorite wood-paneled room on the ground floor has been transformed by India Madavi into an intimate VIP lounge with a large bay window overlooking the sunny road — as if Enzo Ferrari had just parked his car.
The restaurant has an outdoor patio — a haven of greenery in the shade of a pergola designed by Marco Bay. There is another terrace at the rooftop of the restaurant, from which you can admire the views around and observe the life of the plant, the main entrance of which is clearly visible from there.
A New Experience Brought To The Italian Trattoria
Massimo Bottura, a big fan of Ferrari and an ambassador of excellence in his field, also brought his vision to CAVALLINO, who calls the restaurant “a new way to breathe fresh life into Modena cuisine”.
At the CAVALLINO, tradition is the focal point, the history and identity of the territory are revisited in a contemporary style to bring out the best of the past in the flavours of the present and the future. “It’s good, healthy cooking, with a story behind every dish; it’s cooking you can’t say no to.”
In the Photo: Lumache — Nocino-Glazed Snails, Rabbit Kidneys And Salanova Lettuce
Modenese Chef Riccardo Forapani, who trained for 13 years at the Osteria Francescana, oversees the kitchen, conveying his strong and long-standing connection to the Emilian tradition and the quality of local ingredients along with his passion for further developing a timeless culinary offering.
In the Photo: Gnocco Fritto — Airy and crispy warm starter, served with a selection of Emilian cured meats
The dining room is under the direction of Luis Diaz, who boasts outstanding international experience and was awarded the title of best young Maître d’Italia in 2016, assisted by sommelier Silvia Campolucci.
Crème Caramel Al Parmigiano Reggiano — The evolution of tradition: 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano flan, roasted onion and Villa Manodori Traditional Balsamic Vinegar come together to exalt a traditional
Emilian dish
Box Of Tortellini (Tribute To 70S) — the classic tortellini, cooked in capon broth and served in a Parmigiano Reggiano cream, are even more tasty because they are specially prepared by the Tortellante training project that instructs young adults with autism in the art of making tortellini by hand, thanks to the “rezdore” — grandmothers from Modena, who pass on the tradition
Rosette Filled With Baked Ham, Tosone
Cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano Foam — an Italian tradition is revisited with the rendition of “Rosette”. This Modenese classic is a mix of fresh pasta filled with baked ham, tosone cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano foam topped with an edible silver leaf
In the Photo: Pumpkin Anolino
Finishing the meal, it’s worthy to try one of traditional Italian deserts in CAVALLINO’s interpretation:
Babà — served with whipped cream, pistachio ice cream and will berries coulis
Paciugo Di Mascarpone — a delicious mousse of mascarpone with coffee, meringue and cocoa
The restaurant offers both an À la carte and a tasting menus, with and option of wine pairing available.
The sommelier will help you choose the most suitable wine for the selected dishes from an excellently composed wine list.
Ristorante Cavallino
www.ferrari.com/ristorante-cavallino
Address: Via Abetone Inferiore, 1, 41053 Maranello MO, Italia
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday — lunch 12.30-14.30, dinner 19.30-21.45
Sunday — lunch 12.30-15.00
Contacts: +39 0536 944877
Instagram: @ristorantecavallinomaranello
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
