Il Guazzetto In Monopoli

30/04/2025: Stopped by on a Tuesday afternoon for lunch based on highly rated reviews. Had to wait about 30 minutes before being seated at this popular relatively small restaurant. Overall, service was very good (as long as you have an Italian speaker in your group), but prices are too high because food varied between excellent and disappointing. Service varied between rude at the start when only our party's English and French speakers were seated to excellent when our Italian speaker arrived. Insalata caprese was very good and fresh. Gigliata mista was disappointing because the grilled tuna was dry, tasteless and overcooked. The grilled octopus was tasty but also overcooked and rubbery. The grilled prawns were also overcooked and dry. The hot and spicy shrimp dish was tasty but quite difficult to remove the shells. The cozze gratinate (grilled mussels) were served hot and were very good and tasty. Frittura mista was excellent served hot and was quite tasty. The Agnolotti ravioli with shrimp topped with crispy fried arugula was served hot with a tasty sauce and was excellent. The highlight of our lunch was the complimentary dessert dropped off at our table at the end, which was a very light, flaky and delicious pastry with a very tasty filling. Wow, was that a pleasant surprise!

29/04/2025: Very nice restaurant! Excellent food! The rosé house wine is very good! Great recommendation!