[April 2025] In Cremona, Northern Italy, we had been going to a restaurant called “Violino”, but this time we decided to go for something different and made a reservation at Hosteria 700, which my husband found on the internet.
I didn’t expect it at all, but the room we were shown to looked like a palace room.
The elaborate ceiling and red walls created a very nice atmosphere.
The waitress was very friendly, but the customers were a bit snobby.
When we chatted a little loudly, they glared at us.
This is rare in Italy.
For starters, we had baccala mantecato, a cream made by mixing dried cod with olive oil, and chicken pate, which we shared among the four of us.
The pate had a strong flavour that my husband couldn’t handle, but I liked it.
For the main course, I chose guinea fowl, which was especially tasty.
The pistachio bits added flavour and the meat was very well cooked.
My husband had pasta with rabbit sauce, and one of our friends had lamb chops, and they were both very satisfied, but the other friend ordered fish and it was a disappointment.
It seemed quite different from what she expected.
I felt a bit sorry for her, as she had also been disappointed at gratin in Pavia.
Lombardy is not on the coast, so unless you’re going to a seafood specialised restaurant, it’s probably safer to choose meat instead.
For dessert, I shared a light and fluffy torta di rose with my husband.
It was so delicious that I regretted sharing it with him and I wanted it by myself.
I was given a card with the history of the restaurant’s building, which originally belonged to the Barbo family, an aristocrat with a history dating back to the 14th century.
The current building was remodelled in 1837 and features gorgeous Baroque-style furnishings.
Its heyday was during the time of Marquise Marietta Barbo, apparently.
It became a restaurant in 1994.
We took a peek at the other rooms, but ours seemed to be the most luxurious.
We were really lucky to be able to enjoy a delicious meal in such an elegant space.
This time we went for lunch, so we wore casual clothes, but one day I’d like to dress up a little and go for dinner.
