Maria and Antonello Magistà

by Giancarlo Maffi

It isn't possible to write about this restaurant in a traditional way. It is between Bari and Monopoli (Luciano Lombardi's inn is in Monopoli, he moved from Marche to Apulia for Tonia's sake). I drove among ancient olive trees to reach this place.

Monopoli isn't a memorable place. I had a coffee and a slice of cake. Luciano Lombardi wanted to take me to the only good bar-confectioner's shop but it was the closing day.

The square in Conversano

This restaurant is located in the nice square. Here you can also enjoy a good coffee and delicious biscuits.

Luciano Lombardi

I was struck by Angelica Fontana's beaut. She was in the café on the ground floor.

Angelica Fontana

Shw wasn't a common barwoman. She had graceful movements.

On the upper floor there is the restaurant. The rooms are lovely, even romantic.

The entrance

We had many tastes.

I felt like sea urchins but Luciano told me that it was early and April was the right time.

Sea urchins

I found sea urchins and enjoyed them with a very good Champagne, the Celebris blanc de blancs produced by Gosset. I think that sea urchins are sensuous.

A sea urchin

The Celebris blanc de blancs Champagne produced by Gosset

THE DISHES:

A SANDWICH PREPARED WITH BREAD FROM ALTAMURA, FOIE-GRAS, BLACK TRUFFLE AND TURNIP CREAM

 ARTICHOKES AND BUFFALO MOZZARELLA WITH UNRIPE TOMATO AND CITRUS FRUIT SAUCE

 "SPONZALI", PECORINO CHEESE AND TRADITIONAL AGED VINEGAR

BROAD BEAN AND CHICORY SOUP WITH BREAD FROM ALTAMURA AND RED ONIONS

PACCHERI PASTA WITH RICOTTA, SEA URCHIN PULP AND BLACK TRUFFLE FROM POLLINO

 VEAL WITH CHIODINI MUSHROOMS, NEGROAMARO WINE AND PUREED FENNELS

THERE ARE THREE TASTING MENUS.

"TRADIZIONE E SEMPLICITA’", four courses and a dessert, 60 Euros

MAMMA MARIA, three courses  and a dessert, 60 Euros (these dishes are more modern)

SUA MAESTA’ IL TARTUFO, 100 Euros (truffle-based dishes)

Each menu can be paired with wines, from 25 to 40 Euros.

The starters cost about 15 Euros, the first courses 13 Euros and the main dishes 24 Euros.

The interior

The lunch was offered and for this reason there aren't marks but I can write that the young head waiter Giandomenico Ruggiero is very skilled. He should have experience abroad. He is a quick boy and acts with the utmost discretion.

Then I returned to Pisa.

I was glad to come back home.

It was a nice sensation, even tormenting...

Piazza Castello, 5-7
Phone +39 080 4951079
www.pashaconversano.it
Open all year, closed on Tuesdays. In winter it is also closed on Sunday evenings
You will roughly spend 50 Euros

Traduzione in italiano su http://www.lucianopignataro.it/a/conversano-ristorante-il-pasha-di-maria-magista/22551/