La Bottega dei Messapi In Verbania

La Bottega dei Messapi – Where Puglia meets Lake Maggiore (and changes your evening) It's not just a restaurant: it's a live gastronomic show. You enter and are welcomed by an extraordinary environment, with tables carved from ancient Puglian olive trees, composable like a puzzle: an ode to nature and design. The kitchen is open, and the chefs move like artists on stage, preparing each dish before your eyes. Pure spectacle. The cuisine? Based on the freshest fish and shellfish, combined with seasonal vegetables, with spectacular plating that seems to have come out of an art gallery. But here the beauty is only the prelude: each bite is an explosion of flavor. The owner, a charismatic and magnetic figure, is a true influencer of taste: he describes each dish with passion, explaining origins, territories, and techniques. But the real gem is the extra virgin olive oil, carefully selected from its olive groves in Ceglie Messapica: an oil for every dish, paired with mastery. And what about the wine? The selection is for connoisseurs. We started the journey with an Italian excellence: Franciacorta Brut Millesimato "Castello Bonomi", disgorged 2019 - a fine blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, elegant bubbles, great freshness, ideal with raw fish and tuna in a crust. Then, heading towards Burgundy: Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé Brut “Rubis” 2020 - Domaine Houblin-Vernin, French classic method, very fine and persistent perlage, a refined closure for a gastronomic journey that remains in the heart. Every euro spent is worth the experience. It is a journey through flavors, aromas and emotions. A sensory and environmental experience - and yes, even a little spiritual.

It was not just an excellent quality fish dinner but an extraordinary experience where the passion of the owner can be felt.

I was pleased to discover this place where food is a pleasure as well as a simple meal a few weeks ago and the memory is so beautiful that I'm sorry to only review it now. On this occasion at lunch we had the pleasure of meeting a competent person passionate about his profession who delighted us with raw fish as an appetizer and spaghettoni also with very fresh fish and masterfully executed with taste and skill. He also advised us which wine to pair with the dishes with knowledge of the products, local and otherwise. We were able to taste 3 different types of Apulian oils, bread and artisan taralli which in themselves already delight the palate. It's really worth the expense I will return with pleasure

Locale molto bello anche se un pò asettico. Ottima qualità del pesce e buona scelta dei vini. Chef/titolare persona di rara arroganza. Non ci tornerò!

Tuvimos un tiempo excepcional en el restaurante. Todo fue perfecto. El lugar, el ambiente, el servicio y por supuesto la comida. Puedes probar la calidad. Cada plato parecía y probado tan fresco. Realmente lo pasamos increíble!

Absolutely spectacular meal. Outstanding and original menu, wonderful drinks selection and of course the most charming host. Must visit. Thanks again and keep it up.

Great Italian restaurant with extremely friendly service. The food was excellent as always. We had brassato with vegetables and a large steak with vegetables and potatoes. Very good service and good advice when ordering. Absolutely fine fillet.

Definitely positive experience Every detail is taken care of from the furnishings to the service but above all the excellent quality of the food Highly recommended!!!!

Very nice atmosphere 👍. Food was very good 👍. Completely satisfied 👌

I don't usually write long and accurate reviews precisely because when I choose a place I do it for the sake of trying the cuisine, eating in a beautiful location and feeling good with the staff who are making a great sacrifice during service to make us feel at ease. We ate two appetizers, two wonderful first courses, an equally worthy wine, all surrounded by a beautiful place in which we felt at ease. The owner, Daniele, is a person who pays attention to the smallest details with immense competence, very demanding of himself and the staff who support him in the continuous search for perfection. In short, a restaurant that makes you want to return several times and each time taste a different dish and enjoy the cuisine of its team. P.S.: no photos were taken of the dishes because we were immersed in the taste of them and didn't feel the need. Really good.