La Torre di Merlino — Restaurant in Lecce

It's important to understand that there are 2 restaurants here: a pizza restaurant (seems good) and the main restaurant (pasta, fish, meat). The main restaurant claims to prepare dishes "with a twist", but unfortunately these twists aren't well executed. Of the 6 dishes we ordered, 3 had too much salt (I'm not fussy with salt normally) that we could hardly eat it. They also gave us a free refresher dish before dinner: a cold pea soup, which unfortunately had no salt or flavour in it and tasted like gluttonous water. The pastas were OK, but the fish and meat dishes lacked accompanying food, for example we ordered "Cod with potatoes 3 ways" (that is, the potatoes are meant to come in 3 ways, not the Cod unfortunately) and we were given a salt-dried piece of fish (not what we expected) with HALF a potatoe and 4 tiny potatoe crisps. See picture. None of the dishes impressed. The rabbit was alright. Unfortunately, there is a clear lack of talent in the kitchen, where fancy cooking techniques are applied, but the results simply don't taste any good. For what you get, this is terribly overpriced, too (approx 25% more expensive than all other restaurants). Service...

Spent four nights in Lecce. Ate at la cucina on the first night and I didn't think the food could be bettered elsewhere until I dined here the following evening. It was one of, if not the best meals I have ever eaten. I had carpaccio de breseola followed by tortelli filled with veal in a cream and black pepper sauce. It was divine. For dessert I had tiramisu which was delicious. Can't recall what my friends ate but they were as delighted I was with the meal and everything associated, so much so that we went back on our last night to dine there again. I ate the same apart from dessert, I enjoyed one of the best creme brulees I've ever eaten. The restaurant is always busy so if you want to eat before 10:00 be sure to book. There are two bars adjacent to the restaurant while you wait for a table. The staff are just what they should be, polite, friendly, good at their jobs, especially the head waiter who is a bit of a character. We had a table booked for 9:30 but it wasn't quite ready when we arrived so we were given a complimentary drink while we waited. Mr Josh says thank you very much for two wonderful meals...

I was recommended to La Torre di Merlino by the owners of a great Pizzeria Monellis in Hastings in East Sussex close to my home. Frankie & Francesca are from the Salento & in fact Francesca used to work in La Torre di Merlino some years ago! My friend's and I were treated like family friends. We ate in the courtyard of the Restaurant which was such a great environment, the service was great and the food reflects the sort of quality that has enabled them to remain at the top of their game for about 30 years! At the end of the evening it was lovely to meet Antonio the chef. Irrespective of my connection, this was without doubt the best meal we had during our two weeks in the Salento. It is also in my opinion very reasonably priced given the quality of the food and service. If you come to Lecce La Torre di Merlino should be high on your list of places to eat! Thank you Guy's for a...