Osteria Di Rubbiara - NONANTOLA

Came here years ago, remembering the good food we had and the tour in the vinegar farm with the host. Things changed for better and bigger. And a bit of nostalgia like the cell phone put away policy (there was a cupbord with numbered individual cells with padlocks) and the Old Man who wasn't there that day. This time we lunched in the backyard garden, now lots of young waiters providing quick and efficient service. Lots of foreign tourists. No more set menu formula, now is à la carte so ordered what we wished. Great homemade dishes and that long desired ice cream with drizzled balsamic vinegar. The place changed for bigger; we were told that celebs had came in the past, heliport service is available at obvious advance reservations, same applies for a meal there so booking is highly recommendable.

We started our visit with a tour of the acetaia (balsamic vinegar ageing area) and got an excellent explanation of how traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is made. It was a really unique experience to see how they age the vinegar and how long it takes to get a good balsamic. Next, we had lunch in the osteria, which is at the back of the house, in an open terraced area that was really lovely. The owner makes everyone put their phones into a little locker before eating as he wants the focus to be purely on the food, which was fun. We were then served various courses (no choices, they just bring you out food), all using the balsamic vinegar that they produce there. The food was delicious and we loved the experience!

We were a busload of people but we booked the dinner around lunch time. We knew they were quite full but could take us. The food was excellent as always, two primi, one risotto and one pasta, excellent both of them. We had no time to eat the two different main cources, so we just skipped the other and got into the dessert. Everyone was happy except the chef would have hoped us to eat more though we were very full. A different place in a little village out from the main roads, quite difficult to get into with a large bus.

We had read about Rubbiara and our expectations were high; it was not a disappointment. Next time I am in the area I will definitely go again. Lunch was simple but excellent with plenty of balsamic vinegar to enjoy. I was a little sceptical about balsamic vinegar and ice cream but it went down really well. After lunch we spent some time in the shop which offers the vinegars and liquers we enjoyed over lunch as well as a number of other excellent products.

We arranged in advance to do lunch and a tour of the acetaia. The tour was great and it was very interesting to learn about how much care goes into their balsamic they have been doing it since 1862 and it shows! For lunch we sat on their beautiful garden patio and had the 5 course balsamic tasting menu it was quite simply the best meal we had during our 10 day trip to Italy (and we had a lot of very good meals). Highly recommended it! We also bought of bottle of their balsamic to take home.