My first time in Puglia and travelling around to see as much as possible on a 10 day adventure. It’s a beautiful and fascinating part of a country which I adore – come to Italy at least once a year, every year. For any of you out there who also plan to be in the region I have listed a few Restaurants which I have discovered and enjoyed, with very brief details of my experience which may help you if you are unsure about where to eat whilst here.
Lecce
Blu Notte – Seafood Restaurant in the historic Old Town. Has a small outside covered Terrace on a street corner with an uninspiring view, but whilst we were there the music coming from another bar close by was great. They offer the famous Red Gallopoli Prawns in ceviche style and on the grill. Also good Grilled Langoustines. Good service, friendly, EU45 for a meal and glass of wine each
ristoranteblunotte.com. , Via Marino Brancaccio, 2a, Lecce
Cafe Alvino – For a good pit stop during the day. Right on the main Piazza by the Ampitheatre Ruins. Serves the famous Iced Espresso with Almond Milk and a selection of cakes etc including their popular pasticciotto (custard pie).
Gallopoli
Il Bastione – Part of a boutique Hotel overlooking the Sea. Has outside space but was not being utilised and anyway too hot as no shade. Restaurant inside not very atmospheric but a seat by the window with a breeze was comfortable and had a great outlook. Good selection of Seafood on the menu , many Carpaccio and Tartar style seafood. All very good, especially the Red Prawns. Asked for sea urchins as a local delicacy and was told none had been delivered, twenty minutes later they received a fresh delivery so was guaranteed they were fresh off the boat. Frito Misto a bit disappointing – only squid rings and a few prawns, but mixed Grilled Seafish was pretty good.
ilbastionegallipoli.it Rivera Nazario Sauro, 28, Gallipoli.
Matera
Osteria L’Arco – Inside seating only – just off the main drag of the walking area down from the Cathedral. Nice homely place, very friendly. Home style cooking – had lamb cutlets with roasted potatoes. Simple but tasty. Pasta with creamy truffle sauce pretty good. Had their traditional mixed starters which involved a wide selection of stuff, nice marinated peppers, onions lightly pickled with pine nuts, Ricotta, Black Beans ( unusual), little warm courgette and egg quiche like things( no idea what they were called), sun dried Tomatoes etc. EU52 for 2 – one glass of Wine.
osterialarco.it, Via Delle Beccherie,49, Matera.
Alborebello
Ristorante L’Arartro – had a covered Garden area to eat which was pleasant enough. Very typical Italian, very friendly. Had a Veal Chop which was prepared well, asked for it medium/Rare and that’s how it came up, good value. Quite full of tourists but that’s Alborebello for you. Apparently Restaurant round the corner Casanova is also similar quality.
. ristorantearatro.it, Via MonteS.Michele,25-29 Arborebello.
Monopoli
Il Guazzetto – Seafood Restaurant, Quite trendy for an Italian eatery in a seaside resort- young tattooed waiters who really knew the menu well, and spoke good English. Fantastic starter of Sea Bass Ceviche – whole fish gutted/filleted and then out back together and marinated in Passion Fruit And a Pink Peppers with Ricket And Strawberries added. Was recommended by the waiter and was a revelation. Octopus Carpaccio also pretty good. Both had different seafood Pasta dishes which were also excellent. Need to book for evenings and even lunch was busy by 2 o’clock. Good find. Really recommended. Ristoranteilguazzetto.it , Via Dell’Erba ,39,Monopoli.
Saleblu (La Pescheria Hotel ) 10 minutes drive from Monopoli – we stayed here for a few nights and used their restaurant just the one evening. Food was superb – the night we ate they were celebrating the first year anniversary of the Restaurant so it was a set menu but every course was excellent. Fantastic location on a terrace overlooking the sea and first class service. Could not be faulted, so for a fine dining style experience this fits the bill. Unsure about normal prices but our night was EU90 pp but including 5 different wines to compliment each course.
Ostuni
Osteria Del Tempo Perso – Restaurant in a Cave like Setting. Told they were full when we arrived for lunch. Not very friendly,but we persisted and gave us a table after 10 mins. Full of locals and quite dressed up. Imagine it’s well worth reserving for evenings ( and lunch) Service was slow as they were looking after locals but restaurant itself beautiful and food quality made up for it. Excellent looking menu in Italian/English. Wonderful slow cooked octopus starter, Wife had more Carpaccio – Gallipoli Prawns with Burrata and Caviar. 10/10 she said. Grilled octopus main course was excellent, and Sea Bream Fillet with Olives/Tomato And Fennel salad was more than passable. With a glass of Wine each EU82. One of the more expensive meals we had but a beautiful place with beautiful people. Not easy to find – use Google Maps ! Recommended.
Osteriadeltempoperso.com. Via Gaetano Tanzarella Vitaliy 47, Ostuni
AND ONE TO MISS…..
Polignono A Mare
Donna Gina – Spectacular location, but if you are attracted by Google results or Tripadvisor, keep away. I booked this for my wife’s birthday dinner and thank god the location saw me through the disappointing meal. Only Tasting Menus available running from EU100- 150. Looked good on paper but dishes did not deliver. Out of the 5 courses only the seafood risotto hit the spot. Others were just not right. First course – huge cubes of Tuna that I could not work out what they had done to it. It was a unappetising pinkish colour, stone cold and dense/ hard. Had they par- boiled/poached it and then put it in the freezer !? Came with smoked salt and a green yoghurt sauce- better to give to a cat but then I would feel sorry for the cat! Easily the most expensive meal of the holiday and easily the worst ! Did have a nice bottle of Amastuola – a Bio Local White wine – a mix of Sauv Blanc/ Fiona and Chardonnay. Refreshing, good body and acidity and a little aromatic/ flowery. Food – No !
Not sure why Terry but I thought I had to send a special thank you for that one 😉