Il Cucco — Restaurant in Cisternino

We happened to be aimlessly walking the wonderful streets of Cisternino and came upon Il Cucco looking for a wine store and wow, did we find one. This is a fantastic cellar with a broad selection of great wines. Seeing that they were a restaurant we asked if they could accommodate two vegans, one of whom is a coeliac! Instead of the usual panic (ha ha) we were met with a relaxed smile and “of course” and to our table on the terrace we were taken. The setting here is something else. A combination of the old and the new with inside the dining room with original vaulted roof to a beautiful outside terrace surrounded by fruit trees. Our waiter brought the menu, heard our dietaries and went to speak to the kitchen and came back with their suggestions for two courses as well as accompanying wines. And then it started to rain! In Puglia! In Summer! No worries, we were taken to an inside table under the vaulted roof with one wall displaying a marvellous collection of wines. And by now other diners had arrived - a mix of families and couples and groups of friends. The good vibes in the room were understandable given the level of service, which is was professional and at the same time, relaxed. Needless to say the food was exceptional. Starting with a “Caponata Stack” - grilled vegetables on a GF “wheat” with intense flavours offset by the crunch and bite of the grain. Followed by a Risotto of cream pea. Wow! We were drinking red - a primitiva led blend by the glass. We finished with a cheesecake and moscato. A brilliant night all round with special thanks to our waiter who made...

I sadly didn't get to try any of their meals, as I'd already dined, but spontaneously, I booked a small 4-wine-tasting while my father had a gin mare

Their usual is one sparkling white, one white, one rosé and one red, but I asked for one sparkling and three red.

I had hoped the sparkling would be red as well, but I suppose that's still a bit too pop. It was a fine sparkling white, though not my perferance. Should be drank while cold, though as when it got slightly more room temp it wasn't super nice. Definitely goes to show they know their wine's ideal serving temperatures The three reds were all very nice, right up my alley. I had to buy one, and had it not been due to my limited luggage and approaching plane trip home, I'd have definitely gotten more.

My father jokes i was ready on the spot to become a Puglian wine importer on the spot Definitely would have loved to bring them home to try to cook for them

The place itself was beautiful, both inside and out. A smallish wine store with just enough wines for a wide selection but not so many that one would doubt they knew one from the other. We had the opportunity to sit in the corner of the terrace after dark, and it was so cosy. Beautiful lights...

This is a nice little restaurant which is also a wine and spirit store offering a fantastic selection of quality local wines and liqueurs.

Visited in a group of 8 people, the restaurant is small, but has a great atmosphere. Service was prompt and friendly and our host had a good knowledge of the dishes on the menu.

All the food was very tasty, I had a pasta with a wild boar sauce which was absolutely excellent. Everyone in the party seemed to have something different and everyone was happy with their food. I must give special mention to the cheesecake which was served in a deep glass bowl, it was scrumptious.

After dinner we were able to explore the wine shop and benefit from the knowledge of the owner.

The owner could speak some English and there were...