Ristorante La Vecchia Terrazza Ostuni — Restaurant in Ostuni

Thought I was booking a charming dinner spot. Instead, I walked into what felt like a low-budget mob front with a TripAdvisor profile.

Ordered the lamb chops. What arrived could only be described as four fossilised goat bones straight from Pompeii. Sent them back uneaten. They stayed on the bill. Politely mentioned this, and suddenly I’m summoned like a courtroom witness to the front desk.

Enter: the “chef” — a man who looked like Alex Jones on a roids comedown, bursting through the curtain like I’d just insulted his deadlift total. He puffs up and goes: “How do you want to pay?” I said, “I’m not refusing to pay — I’m asking you to take the lamb off the bill. I sent it back, remember?” He fires back: “They were cooked to perfection.”

By now it was clear this wasn’t a one-off. While waiting for the bill, I started reading more reviews. Sure, plenty of glowing five-stars, but buried beneath the fluff were one-star stories just like mine — overcooked food, gaslighting staff, and this same bully-boy tactic when customers dared speak up.

Now, I eat a lot of lamb. And when someone built like the World’s Angriest Strongman insults my intelligence like that, I see red. Things escalated.

He accused me of lying, grabbed my shirt, and threatened to knock me out over €18 of ruined meat. Staff had to drag him away like it was a pub brawl in Ayia Napa.

To top it off, a waitress came over brandishing a photo of one lamb chop — the only one I hadn’t sent back — and said, “See? Perfect.” I said, “Right… and where are the other three? Buried in the ash pile out back?”

For the record, I sent 3.5 out of 4 chops back — two were flat-out incinerated, one was just sad, and the last had a faint glimmer of pink, which they promptly whisked away to use as evidence in their strange little meat trial.

Eventually, they took it off the bill — but not before I seriously considered calling the police or an exorcist.

Oh, and that “stunning view” everyone talks about? It’s a patch of weeds and a concrete wall, unless you’re into garden neglect and brutalism.

Summary: €50+ for food that tastes like regret and confrontation. If you like getting gaslit by steroidal front-of-house staff and threatened over overcooked meat, this place is a...

I had dinner here last night with my family. My son and I both ordered the lamb chops. Sadly, they arrived overcooked and yet somehow without a sear — quite grey and lifeless. I ate mine out of stubbornness, but my son, less forgiving, sent his back.

What followed was quite odd. The waitress, who was polite, took the plate to the kitchen, where she consulted with a man who looked more nightclub security than chef. They then returned with one chop (out of the original four), sliced open, and proudly declared “look at that” — as if a faint sliver of pink in one bite redeemed the entire dish. My son declined the offer of a replacement.

When the bill came, his lamb chops were still on it. He very politely pointed this out. The waitress disappeared, and moments later, a different waiter summoned him to the front desk — not the kitchen — where he was confronted by the same man from earlier. The atmosphere suddenly turned unpleasant. This man grabbed my son by the collar and threatened to punch him. Thankfully, someone I can only assume was his mother pulled him away, while he puffed and huffed like an angry bull.

This morning, my son posted his review, and the restaurant replied accusing him of shouting at staff. That did not happen. There are cameras in your restaurant — so unless you've already “misplaced” the footage, I suggest you check.

An apology is in order. It's clear this gentleman — Alfonso, I believe — was having a bad day. Perhaps he was still reeling from coming second place in a panzerotti eating contest. Whatever the reason, his temper got the better of him, both with the lamb chops and with my son.

Unless this is resolved properly, we will have no choice but to report the incident to the Carabinieri under Article 610 of the Italian penal code (Violenza privata). A conviction could carry up to four years in prison — although, to be fair, he might do well as a prison cook. Simple fare. Fewer complaints.

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La Vecchia Terrazza is hands down, the best restaurant of our entire trip through Italy, from Rome to Noto. Places like this are the reason I'm always dreaming of another trip to this land. Each region in Italy is so different and special with regards to what it produces. Chef Alfonso is a master at coaxing the charms of Puglia's many specialties to the forefront. The dishes here are unique and interesting, but not over engineered. Just enough of a twist and sophistication to make the menu exciting, while still maintaining the hint of rustic appeal, and allowing wonderful ingredients to shine. The atmosphere is an enchanting blend of rustic elegance, with a serious wine list to match. Grab a table in the back and enjoy a stunning view of Ostuni through the terrace arches. Since I don't believe you could go wrong here, I won't give recommendations besides saying that, if you can get it, the duck is an absolute must, and the best I personally have ever had. And also of course taste some of the wines of the region, like Nero di Troia, or of course the famous Primitivo (Avoglia) which was a delight. Lastly, I will say this place is not just about the food. Even with all it's class, La Vecchia Terrazza is a true, family restaurant. Having a meal there felt like having a meal at an old friend's house, (who just happens to live in a castle). Chef Alfonso and his wife, (host and manager) Adrianna have created more than a restaurant. La Vecchia Terrazza is a rare experience of amazing Italian food, warmth, and atmosphere that can come about only as the product of a...