13/03/2024: Let me start by saying that I usually don't spend time writing reviews of places, but this time it's worth it...
Today, on a splendid early spring day, we decided to go and visit Bovino. While looking online for a place where I could have lunch I came across a tavern that promised an extraordinary culinary experience. Not only did it offer vegan and vegetarian options, but also a welcoming atmosphere that seemed to invite you to come in and feel at home. Curiosity got the better of me and, without hesitation, I booked a table for 1.30pm. On the phone, a friendly and warm voice, who introduced himself as Saverio, welcomed me with enthusiasm, and already from that brief conversation, I felt as if I was about to meet an old friend.
Arriving at the tavern, and slightly early, we found ourselves enveloped by the warmth of a living room in a country house. Saverio welcomed us with a genuine smile and an expression of happy anticipation, with the table already set with a selection of vegetables and cheeses, carefully arranged on ceramic plates that seemed to tell a story of their own. Some of the dishes, Saverio explained to us, had been grown in his own country, and some were even produced directly by his family, as if they wanted to convey to us their passion and love for ancient traditions through flavours.
The first course was an explosion of authentic flavours: orecchiette handmade by his wife, accompanied by local vegetables and seasoned with excellent extra virgin olive oil. Each bite was like a journey into tradition, and everything was accompanied by an intense ruby-colored wine, which touched the glass with the delicacy of its fruity flavor. This too, not surprisingly, was produced by Saverio, who seemed to have found a way to transform his passion into a work of art to be enjoyed.
As the wine and conversation flowed, I realized that Saverio's osteria is not just a place to eat, but a place to have an experience. The chat with Saverio, in fact, was not limited only to the flavors of the dishes or the wine production process, but was extended to life stories, memories, dreams. I felt part of something bigger, as if the simplicity of the gestures and flavors had conveyed to me some of the happiness of those who knew how to live in harmony with tradition.
At the end of the meal, I couldn't hold back a satisfied smile, not only for the goodness of the dishes, but also for the family atmosphere I had breathed in that hour. Saverio's tavern is not just a restaurant, but a place where people can meet, get to know each other, and enjoy the little pleasures of life.
And as I left, greeting Saverio like an old friend, I understood that this experience was not only a satisfaction for my senses, but also an opportunity to recharge my batteries, to feel part of something authentic and genuine.
And, perhaps, this is precisely the secret of happiness: sharing the flavors of life with special people like Saverio.
07/03/2024: Exceptional place in the main street of Bovino, with a very discreet sign.
Greeted in a magnificent manner by the owner, I felt like I was entering the home of a friend I hadn't seen for a while.
Immediately served with house wine and an excellent appetizer with artisanal cheeses and cured meats and a great first course with an ancient flavour.