Varius Osteria Moderna — Restaurant in Lecce

We had a poor meal. How this place is rated so highly we don't understand. We arrived on time at 7.30pm. No one else was in the restaurant, this is early for Italians to eat. The young server was sitting outside and welcomed us in. The restaurant is attractive and stylish. She showed us to the table and asked if we wanted water. No offer of any other drink. We were given menus. We sat for a few minutes and had the water. Still no offer of another drink. We chose our food. A very tasty amuse bouche was brought, it was puff pastry with a bean and cheese filling excellent (the best thing we had all evening). Our hopes were high! Then very quickly our starters came. I had 4 halves of pitta with a soft cheese (strachiatella) wrapped around with a cured ham like proscuttio and a piece of sun dried tomato. Far too large and unappealing for starter. No skill shown at all. My husband had a plate of raw chunks of tuna, not seared, in a tastless dressing. A bit like a let down thousand island dressing. Then the mains...well ...mine was lamb chops with caponata which is not difficult to do well but was appalling and totally inedible. I sent it back and the chef came out. He explained the lamb was marinated, then waterbath cooked and reheated for service. It was tough, dry and black. The caponata was greasy and tastless. Nothing like it should be. The chef agreed to re do my lamb by quickly grilling it. It was better but still very poor quality meat cutlets and the caponata was still dreadful. My husband had a swordfish steak that was breadcrumbed and fried served on tasteless red cabbage salad with a sweet soy flavoured sauce. He said it was OK but weired and didn't go well together - but he did choose it! The wines were excellent and good value but the food and amateur service was poor. We will never go back and will remember it as the worst meal we have ever had in Italy....and we have had many! How on earth it is top on Tripadvisor we...

Ho avuto il piacere di cenare al ristorante Varius di Lecce e posso dire con certezza che è stata un'esperienza straordinaria sotto ogni punto di vista. La location è incredibilmente curata, con un'atmosfera raffinata e accogliente che rende ogni visita un vero piacere.

Le pietanze sono semplicemente deliziose. Sebbene si tratti di un ristorante gourmet, le porzioni sono generose, una piacevole sorpresa rispetto alla solita aspettativa di piccole quantità. Ogni piatto è un capolavoro di sapori, preparato con ingredienti freschi e di alta qualità, che soddisfa sia gli occhi che il palato. Un vero applauso va allo chef Michele, la cui maestria in cucina è evidente in ogni piatto servito.

Il personale è eccezionale, in particolare una giovane cameriera che ha reso la nostra serata ancora più speciale. Simpatica, allegra, estremamente preparata e gentilissima, la sua competenza e intelligenza sono davvero ammirevoli. Ha saputo guidarci nella scelta dei piatti con grande professionalità e un sorriso contagioso.

Un plauso speciale va alla titolare, la signora Anna. È una donna forte che gestisce il locale con una competenza e maestria invidiabili. La sua determinazione, passione e capacità di adattarsi ai desideri dei clienti sono evidenti in ogni dettaglio del ristorante. È riuscita a creare un ambiente in cui ogni ospite si sente non solo benvenuto, ma anche come a casa propria, instaurando un rapporto amichevole e genuino con chiunque varchi la soglia del suo locale.

In conclusione, consiglio vivamente il ristorante Varius a chiunque cerchi un'esperienza culinaria eccezionale a Lecce. Ogni visita è un viaggio nei sapori, accompagnato da un servizio impeccabile e un'ospitalità calorosa. Non vedo...

I stayed as a tourist in the neighborhood and decided to spontaneously visit this restaurant with my wife and two children. We were the first guests, but the waitress made us feel at home right away. The chef, who spoke excellent English, then explained the menu in detail and gave us recommendations. The food and wine are all local and of top-notch quality and the staff is very dedicated. We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality and atmosphere and would warmly recommend everyone to try...