Outstanding pictures. Thanks so much for sharing. I now feel like I must visit Osteria Francescana AND buy a Fujifilm camera.
Odion13 on
I can’t even begin to explain how amazing this experience was but to set it up let’s do a little explaining. First I make zero apologies at having to break this up into 2 posts, there was so much to see from Massimo’s playhouse to their intricate balsamic vinegar production house.
Casa Maria is the Boutique hotel of world-famous chef Massimo Bottura. A lot of us will know him from his episode on Chefs Table. When my wife and I couldn’t get reservations for the actual restaurant we saw that they were advertising the Osteria Experience at Casa Maria, curious we clicked on it and instantly fell in love with what we saw. What had started as their hide away home was soon transformed into their vision of a Bed and Breakfast.
The grounds are decorated with their private art, music, and book collection all which can be read and listened to, as they encourage you to treat the property like it’s your home. They have a large open kitchen that they fill with food and drinks throughout the day and of course at night they offer a very unique experience of getting to enjoy some of the most iconic dishes from Osteria’s history.
It was an absolutely magical experience from the very moment we got there. My wife leading up to the visit couldn’t stop day dreaming about maybe getting to meet Massimo and taking a picture with her so imagine the look on her face when we arrived and Massimo was actually there directing a truck of supplies and ran up to welcome us and introduce us to his brother, it was surreal to have this legendary chef just casually making small talk.
The ground as you can see are amazing and you feel like you’re in a movie’s version of a European villa.
NOW to the dinner!
It’s a very unique experience as you are seated at communal tables with the other guests staying at the hotel. And while the first few minutes are a bit awkward once the ice was broken everyone was chatting and laughing and gasping as the dinner went along.
Each dish was introduced with a story of its origins and we were encouraged to get up and watch the final steps of creating the dish and the plating, and could even ask questions as they worked. About half way through the dinner Massimo returned to come and talk to each table and everyone of course took pictures with him, you could see him still making sure that each plate met the exact standards that he expected and he told us that because of their relative closeness that he hops between Osteria and Casa Maria each night to give each attention.
While all the dishes were amazing I would have to say my favorite was the Cesar Salad In Bloom, it was incredible to see them somehow take a salad and turn it into a dessert.
My only regret was not bringing my camera to breakfast the next day. I don’t know why but I didn’t expect the breakfast to be a big deal but it was utterly mind blowing, the same level of quality that you got with dinner you got with breakfast, my first and maybe only time enjoying a Michelin quality breakfast lol.
roleplay_oedipus_rex on
This is some next level shit, thanks. Look forward to part 2.
Hockeytown66 on
My wife and I were there in September, though your pictures are fantastic, they do not do Casa Maria justice. It is truly an incredible experience from the moment we arrived! The culinary and hospitality experiences are second to none, and we cannot wait to go back!
BowTiePenguin007 on
Why don’t they have a Michelin star(s)? 🤔 Very curious.
secretreddname on
Ooooh I have 4 nights there in May capped off with a dinner at Osteria Francescana on the last night. I can’t wait.
6 Comments
Outstanding pictures. Thanks so much for sharing. I now feel like I must visit Osteria Francescana AND buy a Fujifilm camera.
I can’t even begin to explain how amazing this experience was but to set it up let’s do a little explaining. First I make zero apologies at having to break this up into 2 posts, there was so much to see from Massimo’s playhouse to their intricate balsamic vinegar production house.
Casa Maria is the Boutique hotel of world-famous chef Massimo Bottura. A lot of us will know him from his episode on Chefs Table. When my wife and I couldn’t get reservations for the actual restaurant we saw that they were advertising the Osteria Experience at Casa Maria, curious we clicked on it and instantly fell in love with what we saw. What had started as their hide away home was soon transformed into their vision of a Bed and Breakfast.
The grounds are decorated with their private art, music, and book collection all which can be read and listened to, as they encourage you to treat the property like it’s your home. They have a large open kitchen that they fill with food and drinks throughout the day and of course at night they offer a very unique experience of getting to enjoy some of the most iconic dishes from Osteria’s history.
It was an absolutely magical experience from the very moment we got there. My wife leading up to the visit couldn’t stop day dreaming about maybe getting to meet Massimo and taking a picture with her so imagine the look on her face when we arrived and Massimo was actually there directing a truck of supplies and ran up to welcome us and introduce us to his brother, it was surreal to have this legendary chef just casually making small talk.
The ground as you can see are amazing and you feel like you’re in a movie’s version of a European villa.
NOW to the dinner!
It’s a very unique experience as you are seated at communal tables with the other guests staying at the hotel. And while the first few minutes are a bit awkward once the ice was broken everyone was chatting and laughing and gasping as the dinner went along.
Each dish was introduced with a story of its origins and we were encouraged to get up and watch the final steps of creating the dish and the plating, and could even ask questions as they worked. About half way through the dinner Massimo returned to come and talk to each table and everyone of course took pictures with him, you could see him still making sure that each plate met the exact standards that he expected and he told us that because of their relative closeness that he hops between Osteria and Casa Maria each night to give each attention.
While all the dishes were amazing I would have to say my favorite was the Cesar Salad In Bloom, it was incredible to see them somehow take a salad and turn it into a dessert.
My only regret was not bringing my camera to breakfast the next day. I don’t know why but I didn’t expect the breakfast to be a big deal but it was utterly mind blowing, the same level of quality that you got with dinner you got with breakfast, my first and maybe only time enjoying a Michelin quality breakfast lol.
This is some next level shit, thanks. Look forward to part 2.
My wife and I were there in September, though your pictures are fantastic, they do not do Casa Maria justice. It is truly an incredible experience from the moment we arrived! The culinary and hospitality experiences are second to none, and we cannot wait to go back!
Why don’t they have a Michelin star(s)? 🤔 Very curious.
Ooooh I have 4 nights there in May capped off with a dinner at Osteria Francescana on the last night. I can’t wait.