The décor was conceptualised by the acclaimed Iranian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi (All photos: Ristorante Cavallino)
Global gourmets would come running at the mere mention of Massimo Bottura’s name. But imagine if the Ferrari name were to be thrown into the culinary equation … chances are they would arrive at the doorstep of Ristorante Cavallino in Maranello, Italy, in under six seconds — that is about the 0-100kph acceleration speed of the iconic mid-1980s Ferrari, the Testarossa.
The town of Maranello, Ferrari’s headquarters in the Emilia-Romagna region, needs little introduction. It has always been a place of pilgrimage for the carmarker’s ardent fans and, of course, the tifosi — the nickname given to supporters of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One. Urban legend has it that when the team wins, the local priest rings the Maranello church bells.
Originally a farmhouse, Ristorante Cavallino functioned primarily as a canteen, albeit Enzo Ferrari’s private one, after it was established in 1950. It was said that the marque’s legendary founder could be seen dining there almost daily, always in the company of someone distinguished — be it the racing champion du jour or perhaps a visiting celebrity or dignitary — until his death in 1988. Bottura, Italy’s culinary golden boy, assumed control of Ristorante Cavallino’s kitchen in 2021 (his own three Michelin-starred flagship, Osteria Francescana in Modena, is, after all, relatively nearby) and has since elevated the restaurant to a dining destination whose reach extends well beyond the world of motorsports.
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Even those who normally cannot tell the difference between an engine and a chassis would find much to appreciate about Ristorante Cavallino. Its exteriors are painted red, of course — in homage to Ferrari’s signature hue — while the charming garden (which changes with the season) is the perfect spot to enjoy a pre- or post-prandial espresso. The patio is dominated by a pergola and the interiors are adorned with rare collectibles and memorabilia from Ferrari’s own archives, giving fans as well as diners a unique experience.
Combining the world of cars with the world of good food and design, the pixelated cavallino rampante-patterned wallpaper adorns the main dining room while the terracotta floor’s red-and-ivory checkerboard pattern brings to mind the cheerful tablecloths found in classic Italian trattorias. The décor was conceptualised by the acclaimed Iranian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi, also the talent behind The Gallery dining room at Sketch London and collaborator for various chic hotels, including L’Apogée in Courchevel and Le Cloître, Arles, both in France.
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And though the décor jostles for attention, it is the food that is the undisputed star. Begin with oysters (€8 each) from the River Po, served with bone marrow and bergamot, or perhaps bell peppers (€16), stuffed with almonds, capers and sundried tomatoes. A must-order, though, is the Tortellini del Tortellante (€20), with your choice of Parmigiano-Reggiano cream or capon broth. A tip: definitely go for the former. An equal must is the Rosette cotte nel forno a legna (€19), a dish of baked egg pasta layered with ham, Parmigiano and béchamel foam, a rustic traditional recipe that Bottura has revived and made contemporary, while diehard Ferrari fans simply cannot leave without trying the Testarossa beef fillet (€30).
Considering it is Italy, expect a locally skewed but stellar wine list. And since you are dining in the heartland of Ferrari, do order a bottle of Lambrusco. The fizzy red that is emblematic of the region may have suffered a bad rep of late but it wasn’t Enzo Ferrari’s favourite tipple for nothing. Ristorante Cavallino offers no less than 22 options but, if you had to pick, make it one from Sorbara.
And just as fans do not leave without spending their bottom dollar at the nearby Ferrari Museum’s gift shop, Ristorante Cavallino offers its own array of delicious in-house souvenirs: balsamic vinegar from Modena, extra virgin olive oil and Bottura’s best-selling cookbook, Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef.
Ristorante Cavallino, Via Abetone Inferiore 1, Maranello, Italy.
This article first appeared on Aug 1, 2022 in The Edge Malaysia.
