05/04/2024: An excellent experience, a type of evening that can rarely be had in these parts, thanks to the perfection of the service, the quality of the menu, and the professionalism of the owners and managers: two young guys full of talent, energy and dedication.
Already in the early afternoon phone call to reserve a table, the interaction was kind, friendly and efficient.
Arriving at the restaurant we were welcomed immediately and seated in a room with an elegant but not pretentious atmosphere, soft colors and music at the right volume.
It is typical of many restaurants not to offer a printed menu, with the intention of directing diners' choice to what the waiter recommends, a practice that has always got on my nerves and I have always found to be non-transparent and rude.
Here we were immediately provided with a menu and wine list, refreshed with sparkling water, bread, tarallini and focaccia, and politely left to examine the offer.
After a few minutes the waiter approached us asking if we were ready to order and so we did: bottle of Gewurztraminer, enthusiastically recommended, mixed starter, and then fried food for me and octopus with potato cream for my friend.
With the premise that I have always been a bit doubtful about fish cuisine, and that before last night I had never eaten a mussel, nor ever tasted an octopus salad that wasn't rubbery and hard, last night I tried their honey-fried mussels and their Luciana-style octopus and I had to reconsider my distrust: absolutely delicious, both dishes. We asked the waiter to compliment the chef.
My fry was equally incredible: very fresh, cooked to perfection and plentiful (so much so that I brought quite a bit home), the octopus in potato cream was devoured in a silence of appreciation and delight.
The wine was perfect and at the right temperature and all the staff were attentive to the progress of our dinner with discretion and efficiency.
After completing the meal with a lemon dessert that was "the death of it", we had the opportunity to compliment the chef again in person, who went around the tables to thank the diners. A touch of absolute class that you never see. From a boy in his early twenties.
At the end we had a very pleasant chat with the restaurant manager, the chef's older brother (sorry, I don't remember your name!) and I decided that I will return to this absolute pearl of local catering and hospitality whenever I can.
I have nothing but words of praise and congratulations for this group of young entrepreneurs. Keep going guys, and remember that the invitation to London always remains open!
03/04/2024: I had the pleasure of dining in this restaurant with a group of colleagues and it was a fantastic discovery. I hope to be able to return to Taranto soon to be able to dine again in this corner of culinary paradise. Thank you guys!