Masseria Illo Tempore

Service was friendly and quick, and the food itself was good, but the experience needed more care. The dining room could be improved, and I wasn’t impressed by the table linens. The menu felt a little limited given that they use produce from their garden or nearby farms. Several dishes arrived lukewarm, especially the meatballs and gratin vegetables. The price felt decidedly high for the amount and quality. There were three of us: we ordered two starters, two first courses, two mains with sides, and three drinks. Even with the 20% discount, it came to €45 each.

We found this restaurant by chance through The Fork and were immediately impressed by the food: a lovely mix of Salento tradition and fresh ideas, using excellent local ingredients. The forward-looking masseria has the same feel, simple but attentive to details, with a real affection for the special things. It was just right for celebrating our little one’s baptism, bringing our families from northern and southern Italy together for the first time. We had the privacy and freedom we wanted, while the attentive staff took care of us and were available whenever needed. This is the kind of dining we need. Well done, everyone!

A really good dinner in a relaxed, intimate setting. I loved that they offer gin and tonics alongside the usual wine pairings. We had the seared tuna, which was incredibly fresh, and the very tender CBT octopus with fava bean puree and chicory.

It had such a welcoming, intimate feel, like being with family. We tried everything from starters to dessert and loved it all. The flavors were delicate but still authentically local, and every bit of fish was incredibly fresh. I HIGHLY recommend it.