Trattoria Squeri: When Carlo Ancelotti Talks Football or Food, We Listen

Carlo Ancelotti is something of a rarity in the beautiful game – a very successful footballer who became even more decorated as a manager.

He is the only coach to have won the title in each of European football’s top five divisions, and with five Champions League titles as a boss he stands out on his own, two clear of his closest rivals.

Ancelotti is also a gourmand and, just like with football, when it comes to food, if Don Carlo speaks, we listen.

He recently talked up Trattoria Squeri, on an Instagram post about his favourite restaurants. So, Destination Calcio headed straight there.

Of all the places on Ancelotti’s list, this seemed the most unassuming and off the beaten track, a good half hour outside of Parma.

“First of all as a person, Ancelotti is gold,” said owner Antonio Squeri. “He’s very professional. Everyone knows that he eats happily when it’s good food.

“He surprised us with the recommendation. We didn’t expect it but he’s a good fork, as they say here.”

The restaurant has been in the same family for four generations and was a favourite of Ancelotti’s when he was playing and coaching in Italy.

We asked for exactly what he would have ordered, starting with a platter of cold cuts including prosciutto di Parma along with torta fritta, a local delicacy of puffy, golden fried dough.

We then moved onto the spalla cotta calda, or cooked pork shoulder served hot, one of Ancelotti’s favourites. This being Emilia, we could not leave without trying the pasta and had delicious lasagna and a trio of tortellini, which included three types of filling based on the season.

Despite feeling comfortably stuffed by this point, we powered on to the main event, the tagliata di cavallo, a horse meat steak. This may not be for everyone and has an earthier taste than what you might be used to, but is a staple of the menu at Squeri. As is the punta al forno ripiena, a traditional veal cut that is roasted and then stuffed.

“Ancelotti always eats the spalla cotta, cut by hand, with the torta fritta,” said Antonio. “Then he has stuffed pasta according to the season. It could be tortelli filled with pumpkin or herbs or truffles and he has always loved the stuffed veal roast, which is very typical of this region.”

If it’s good enough for Carlo, it’s good enough for us. And if you are anywhere near Parma, look up Trattoria Squeri.

Trattoria Squeri

Address: Via di Varano 78, 43015, Noceto Italy

Opening Times: Lunch (Wed-Sun) 12pm-2.30pm; Dinner (Wed-Sun) 7.30pm-9.30pm