Hagakure Sushi In Monopoli

16/02/2026: This restaurant is spectacular, both aesthetically and for the service, and (especially) for the cuisine. My husband, I, and our one-and-a-half-year-old daughter had dinner here on Valentine's Day. The dinner was delicious; I think I ate the best uramaki (small balls) of my life. The chef was incredibly kind; he even prepared a special first course for my daughter, orecchiette with tomato sauce, which she thoroughly enjoyed. The first courses were equally spectacular, beautiful in appearance and refined and balanced in flavor. The risotto was delicious, and the wagyu ravioli were delicious. The rosé served was so popular that we even purchased it privately due to its quality, which is now rare for this type of wine. The desserts were the perfect end to the meal, and the salted caramel tart was definitely my favorite. If I really had to find a flaw, I would have really appreciated having a countertop in the bathroom where it was a bit complicated to change my daughter, but since it's not a "family-friendly" restaurant, I understand the lack of one.

01/02/2026: The appetizer and the first three courses were excellent. Unfortunately, the fourth course—a rather basic medium steak with mashed potatoes—was neither offensive nor impressive, and the overall experience started to go downhill from there. The service staff tried their best, but for such an expensive restaurant, the appearance felt somewhat unprofessional. For the first course, we were served by a gentleman who seemed to completely ignore presentation and fine-dining standards. Desserts were absolutely disappointing. My girlfriend was really looking forward to tiramisu, but instead we received a warm, mushy dessert with mulberries that was basically inedible. Overall, the experience was good, but some courses definitely need refinement, and I would honestly remove the desserts from the menu for now. I wouldn’t give this place a Michelin star yet, but there is clear potential for growth.