Malcandrino In Monteroni di lecce

12/01/2025: We discovered this osteria on a rainy afternoon in December, tucked away down a side street. The proprietor, presumably Roberto, was chatting to a friend and I asked him if the osteria was open (it appeared not). We were welcomed inside, lights were switched on, tables moved aside, and oven fired up. The whole time we were there, we were the only customers, and we were treated well and served good, honest, homemade Puglese food. We shared a huge, fresh green salad, with rocket, capers, tomatoes, local cheese, and winter chicory, a new vegetable for me, but later seen everywhere at markets and on trucks parked by the roadside. We ordered separate mains and shared, but they both tasted fairly similar: an aubergine parmesan and another layered, tomatoey dish. They weren’t outstanding, but they were authentic and filling. With this, we shared a carafe of red wine. Coffee came with a couple of the local almond biscuits, which are nice, but we were hoping for a more substantial and interesting dessert. Overall, the food was solid local fare and the service friendly and attentive, but not intrusive. The dining room is a bit dark and somewhat gloomy, but maybe in high tourist season, it becomes a cool refuge from the heat.

30/08/2024: I have been to this restaurant twice for dinner. What can I say? Like eating at the home of a Salentino who honors his land with excellent cuisine, typical, home-made and genuine. Exquisite! If you go to Salento you cannot miss the opportunity to have dinner or lunch at Roberto's. The best place in Nardò ever