The rule in Italy is, if you want really fabulous food, go to the little family run restaurants, the ones hidden in the back streets where Italians eat..... The tourist places are over priced rubbish.
General suggestions: 1 when you are in Italy and you want to eat well ask a local. 2 the more distant from downtown the better, because they need to do better to attract people 3 ask a local, don't be shy, Italians are social beasts you won't bother anyone
The rule goes for most restaurants all over the world. Tourist attractions dont mix with high quality restaurants most of the time. Tourist trap is a term for a reason. It only exists to steal money from foreigners.
That restaurant where you were is probably the most overrated restaurant in south Italy, its called grotta palazzese, however there are a ton of delicious restaurants in that city (polignano a mare) that are cheaper and so so good. Please visit the city during the night, it's probably one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Great video Guga!
It should be called the Goat's playpen based on the food they serve! Unfortunately, if this is rated top 10 in the world it is for views only and not the food. I always prefer the less prominent restaurants to find out what they have in any country, and it's mostly always a great experience.
I love your honesty. In Venice I was asked if I enjoyed my soup. I answered honestly no! The waiter was genuinely shocked. I think they assume tourists do not have taste.
Personally I find it very disrespectful towards other customers. If I saved a lot of money to go to an expensive restaurant to celebrate my honeymoon or something, I would be extremely unhappy if next to me was some youtuber who complained about the food aloud all the time I was there. I respect restaurants that have it banned. Opinions are allowed, but you dont need to talk about those inside the restaurant to spoil other peoples mood.
From my experience in Italy, where I've been often as a southern German: I avoid the fancy restaurants, where the glasses are shiny and the table cloth is snow white. I always go to places with paper table cloth, away from the tourist areas and where "Mama" is cooking in the kitchen. That's where you'll find the best food
As an Italian I have to disagree, fine dining is excellent in Italy, if you can pay for it, at around 40/50 euros a person you can get some spectacular three course meals with wine, I feel paying less isn't always woth it, but maybe because the stuf I can find in those restaurants I can make myself at home
Amazing Guga, that's a few km where I live. I got engaged to my wife in that restaurant, it's all about the location, the food was below average and I unfortunately part of the memory was spoiled by a wine somellier that happened to be a prick. Just as many places in Puglia has a great potential but us poorly managed, love how they are getting a reality slap from nothing less than the best : Guga!
@@sassofrasso4655 Alla semplie richiesta di consigliare un vino che si adatasse a quello che abbiamo ordinato da mangiare, il sommelier si e' comportato in maniera molto supponente, prima ridendoci in faccia e dicendo che la nostra richiesta era del tutto insensata, poi con rabbia repressa ha cercato di imbarazzarci poiche' non eravamo in grado di fornire una richiesta dettagliata in gergo da enologo. Dato che cmq sono pagati per aiutare e servire il cliente, e non umiliarlo, e con tanto che eravamo da un ristorante da 200 euro e passa a persona e non da Giorgione, cio' fa rimanere un po' di amaro in bocca. Ma ci ha giusto rovinato 2 minuti, tant'e' vero che alla fine il vino, che avevamo scelto noi, senza il suo aiuto, era buono. Oggi la mia risposta sarebbe stata molto diversa e non avrei lasciato far passare quel comportamento.
Considering all the legal troubles Grotta Palazzese had with Italian authorities over the past few years (HACCP violations, tax evasion, etc) it's incredible they're still open and fooling tourists. Ok the view, but it's a huge reputational damage for Polignano a Mare.
The view is a major part of the trap. Tourists come because of the view and the restaurant charges them high prices for it. The shtty food just comes as an "excuse".
As an italian i feel so bad, places like this shouldn't exist. the location let you charge more for the bill but at that price you should offer amazing exquisite food. There are ton of restaurants where you can eat wonderful food without spending a lot. Hope Italy redemes itself. Sorry Guga
As a regular Italy tourist ive learned that the food from Nonna at the local camping restaurant could be the best ever. Btw im from Amsterdam where its MOSTLY tourist traps, Italian food will always be on top of my list.🇮🇹
Well, in the restaurant defence tho, or not, the dishes shown are more like something I would order in Lombardia or Veneto. As a born and raised Italian, I know that ordering most of those dishes below the Po river is basically like asking to be disappointed ahah
I don't mind paying good money for good food. I despise when it's substandard and disappointing. It's difficult to eat out when you know you cook amazing things at home. At least the view was good... This is where people with too much money and bad taste go to eat. Thanks for trying it for us Guga as I will never be visiting that place.
I went to Greece this summer and there was this food truck on a cliff overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in Sithonia. The food was ok, but the view was miles better than that. And it cost us 8€ per person.
In Italy if you want to eat good, you have to fly low and go for little restaurants, trattorie and agriturismo usually won't disappoint you, just try to ask locals to recommend where to eat the best food! Expensive "fine" restaurants are just a waste of money, not saying you are expected to always pay a low amount to eat good, there are expensive places where they cook cuts of meat, cured or dry aged, fiorentina for example, and the prices can go up. Thank you Guga to have visited my home country, you're always welcome! ♥
Fine restaurants can be good but this 1 is not.. This 1 has a reputation for being very, very bad especially for the price. There is a reason Michelin guide, Gault & Millau, W50B, OAD, La Liste, etc. stay away from this place. It is garbage.
i'm happy my wife is a "down to earth kind of gal" she would have looked at the meny and said, lets split a pizza instead. happily married for 22+ years, i love her with all my heart
I agree that the experience of touristy places can be... a trap. Now, a few notes: Touristy places are not where Italian food shines. A restaurant usually excels in one main thing: meat, pasta, or fish... not all of them. I know one place that excels in two, maybe three of these, but it's one place among many restaurants I know. I always think of Italian food as the kind of meal a grandma makes for her grandchild with whatever she has at home (maybe because that's how I learned it), not as fancy restaurant fare. That's why most comments suggest finding a familiar restaurant. There are fancy, amazing places, but maybe only one or two per city. The rest will excel in one thing. I think you did an amazing and honest review. I'll keep following your great channel :) Thanks!
I realise other people wrote it, but before even watching all of it, I can tell you - that restaurant is all about the view. It's never been one of the best restaurants in the world and regarded as being VERY overrated. As someone who used to go to Polignano a Mare several times, the whole place is good for photos and views, but the beach is crowded and the stones are uncomfortable. Giovinazzo is much nicer to walk through, even if the view isn't as photogenic. I say that as someone who has been there pretty much every year except for last year. The other thing this restaurant fails at, is taking advantage of the incredible seafood the region has to offer. When I was there I could go to the local fishmonger and get EXCEPTIONAL fish at a good price. Why is a place in Puglia serving Wagyu, Caviar and Gorgonzola, Truffle? Truffle and Gorgonzola are from NORTHERN Italy. The south is completely different. They could save a lot of money serving local products and would get even better reviews. Also go to LULA in Trani. Incredible bakery.
Guga, you gotta remember that for a large portion of tourists who come to this place, they come from all over the world. Many (most) countries that don't have decent Italian food available to them. So, this is life-changing along with the scenery for them. I just came back from Italy and can honestly say, the tourist food spots are mostly terrible. The empty holes-in-the-walls are the best spots.
The absolute majority of all italian reviews for that restaurant say exactly what Guga experienced: it's beautiful, the food is pretty but generally overpriced and mildly to extremely dissatisfactory. Even people that love the place praise the simple fact it's gorgeous and pass over the fact that the food is mediocre at best. At that level of cost I think expecting at least excellent taste is a given.
Kind of weird that they dont even make it excellent. I mean, it wouldnt cost them anymore to have good chefs and foods for the same price. Maybe the owners and chefs are connected somehow, otherwise they would amp up their game?
As a person who plays saxophone in 3 different bands locally, I too find the sax music annoying. I would prefer the wonderful sound from the "surf" below.
Could you only imagine being the table directly beside the Saxophone player... not even 7-8ft away with nothing but a spaced out steel railing in-between them both that either one could climb over if they wanted to. That would be absolute torture eating there. They should have a dug-out spot in the lower or upper cave solely for this saxophone player that's a ways away from all the tables where sound will still carry a bit, but not overwhelming if they are going to have him play his instrument literally ALL afternoon/night each day.
You barely notice the sax during a busy service and the guests seemed to enjoy it when I went. I just sense, as the reviewer said, he is bitter about the prices, so he is likely subconsciously finding faults where there aren't any. It's not cheap, but if dining there, you need to put it to the back of your head and just enjoy the experience.
I love your take at the end, that spending it with your loved one always makes it a worthwhile experience. Sorry the food was no good. The view looks amazing tho. Sad they seem to rely on just that instead of putting out solid food
This is hilarious. Guga being honest about an overpriced eatery WHILE still eating at the table is great. Turns out you're just paying for the view. Guga's interactions with his wife off cam is pretty funny too. Solid.
this restaurant is NOTORIOUS for that. idk where he got "one of the best restaurants in the world" from but it damn sure wasn't any reputable guide like W50B, OAD, La Liste, Gault & Millau, or Michelin
That is why I always check Google reviews. This place has a rating of 4.0 and that is terrible for a restaurant. Never go anywhere that has less than 4.4 with sane pricees. 4.7 for expensive
This is a general good policy. If the place is expensive, the rating will reflect that. I usually read 2 and 4 star ratings because they are usually the most honest, but I do not discount 5 star either.
The best thing to do is go straight at 1 star reviews and do selective reviews. Some 1 star reviews will only say "bad" and some will give an actual constructive criticism. And also look at the time the reviews posted since sometimes the restaurant could change
I'm glad you went together, even if the food was not what you expected and not worth the price. It's one of those things you will never forget together. You didn't mention how she like the pasta dishes from the trattoria, but they looked really delicious.
Thx for the video (and the warning) in the late 1970's we were childless for the first 4 years of marriage with good jobs and often ate out , there was an Indian restaurant that you not only had to make a reservation but choose your meal two days in advance , we went with the chicken , it was a pick your protein , so for 100 bucks of late 1970's dollars each we were treated to a chicken drumstick each and about a quarter of a cup of lentils with naan bread on the side , this was in an old house on the main street of the city and we were served in some kids old bedroom i'm guessing and the place was the talk of the town at the time for how exclusive it was , the drumstick was ok but the lentils were horrible and the waitress gave me crap for not eating them , we stopped off at KFC for a bucket of chicken on the way home and back then it was still delicious an had the real gravy that's no longer available , nothing like the good old days 🤣
The fact Mrs. Guga calls it a 7 just for the view and the company is kinda sweet. Like, it didn't (totally) matter how the service or food was, just that yall got to spend time together somewhere nice, that you thought enough to take her somewhere nice. That she's worth anything you could give.
Another Italian here...I love food and while it's true that in Italy on average you find good food, we also have a lot of "bad restaurants" or even just ones where the food is highly below the level you would expect. I've never dined there and in general, except for once, I've never dined in high priced restaurant (luckily my only experience was marvelous in a restaurant called "Il Centro di Priocca") but I guess they're no exception. I like that you put a "normal restaurant" to show the comparison, very nice video!
That’s sad! They took a location that had the perfect ambience built in and ruined it by overthinking the menu. I went to a place in Brazil that had a similar setting and all I had was torresmo com mandioca and a beer. Everything was perfect and it only cost pennies! I would take that over this place any day!
i dont think they "overthink" the food, the presentation and all goes in the right direction, it seems more like they hired a bad chef for cooking the 200€ food.
Guga, you really didn't need words to let us know how bad and disappointing the food was. Your facial expressions said it all. They were priceless. That food was so overpriced and so little. Unbelievable that they charge so much and are so stingy with the food. 520 for the bill: 40 for the food, 480 for the view, zero for the annoying music. Good video. Good review.
I remember going to a high-end sushi restaurant in Southern California with my brother expecting the best sushi we ever had. We spent hundreds of dollars on very, very small portions of sub-par sushi. I've had better sushi at a $20 all you can eat restaurant. We left, still very hungry and unsatisfied, so we went to a Carl's Jr. drive thru.
@@TheVang86 dangggg... so unfortunate. Try to please remember the name to save others from this horrible fate as well. These places need to change or face the consequences of being shut down.
had the same experience in Santorini only about twice as expensive because it only had 8 tables. We left hungry, but happy. Paying for the view and the experience.
I get that fine dining is an experience, not an all you can eat Las Vegas buffet, but this restaurant's portions, stingy rationing of high-cost ingredients, and poor quality are inexcusable. They would be better off charging EVEN more if that's what it take to provide a world class experience. My wife and I ate at Guy Savoy in Las Vegas--which was more expensive than this seaside Italian restaurant. We enjoyed the world class experience we paid for. The staff knew we weren't members of the 1%, but they treated us as though we were! If you're going to charge premium prices, deliver a premium experience! We will always remember the experience and forgot about the price after we paid the credit card bill.
At osteria francescana in modena, that is a three michelin stars resturant you pay 350€ for 15 courses and the wine pairing is 240€, in this resturant for the same price you get 6 courses and the wine paiings is 400€ and the food looked just average with caviar and truffle used to spike the price, it's a tourist trap, they sell the opportunity to get a selfie to put on instagram. That said I'm also not happy with the look of the pasta in the trattoria, I think you can find better with some research on tripadvisor.
Thank you for a very entertaining review. I also agree about the terrible music. Actually I loathe any music at restaurants. When we eat Mexican, we came sure beforehand that there isn't a mariachi band.
That carbonara at the end looked suuuper delish. I'm not a fan of fine dining and I'm blessed to have married someone who's the same as me. Glad you're wife is like you, Guga lol.
Great video, well done. I go to Italy a lot, I almost never eat in expensive Ristorante, only trattorias, pizzerias, bars at the aperitif hour, inns and traditional home cooking style places, etc. Almost never disappointed if I ask around first for recommendations.
You're just a short drive away to Vito's new pizzeria restaurant in Torre a Mare. You should visit him. He would be so surprised. if you're starving after these expensive meals he's going to take really good care of you!
Believe it or not I've been here three times, I was there in 2022 looking for a house and we were staying in Polignano a mare. We made reservations accidently for two days . The first day we went it was beautiful and romantic, the waiter was great and recommended a great local wine and we decided to do the largest coarse tasting. I was so excited until the first course came and it was a local red shrimp served raw but these didn't smell or taste fresh so couldn't eat it luckily we were right up against the railing so we tossed it into the water everything we got past that was just worse most of what we got went into the deep sea. The next day we went we thought we will do this smart and order only things we thought they couldn't mess up. Well guess what they did it again it was all not only bad but vile and mostly inedible. The first two times we were there we sat once where you sat and the table right next to that, the third time we brought some friends and the sat us above on the higher level right next to that fricking saxophone player , of all things to have a f- ring loud sad player, how about a guitar or a violin something les ear bleeding . Anyway the last time we went it was the worst ever, we got a waiter from hell that just walked up to us and said "are you ready" no can I offer you a drink, hello, welcome? Nothing anyway food again was terrible sax terrible, view and actual restaurant amazing, I've been trying to figure if I can just order a 500 euro bottle of wine and a basket of bread?
Every time I see truffles, caviar and "gold" over food, I already know it will be pricey instead of delicious. If you are confident in your food, you don't need those things just to charge more money. It's a sacrilege to serve bad food with a view like that.
I can totaly agree with you. Except for 1 thing. The gorgonzola is an amazing chees with a lot of flavour and complexity, this is not a cheese for Americans that are used to extremely fat low quality not-matured cheeses, this can make a big difference, and I can totally understand how someone that is not use to complex cheeses wouldn't like it
I'm from Polignano and in a really old follower of you. I'm sorry for your expirience but honestly I don't know many friend of mine who went to eat there. As your wife said it's quite unique for the view but the rest is just for tourists. There are very good restaurant in Polignano but with that much money you could go to basically every Michelin starred restaurant in puglia which are mind-blowing.
Restaurants in Europe not common to serve Japanese Wagyu… if they do it will be crazy expensive.. on the plus wine in Europe is really cheap… I ordered a bottle of Tignanello in Florence and it’s 3x cheaper than what i pay in Tokyo
Guga love your videos!! An unrequested suggestion would be to try regional dishes and not the Roman ones there. They are famous for orecchiette with fresh tomato sauce with grated fresh cacioricotta cheese and that is amazing for example.
In Italy there are 20 regions, each one has it’s own typical food, the best way to enjoy good italian food is asking for local recipes, avoid instagram fancy locations and follow the locals…the first restaurant doesn’t need any more comment, but if you’re in Puglia and order cacio e pepe and carbonara in a trattoria you’re missing the point
So americani che cazzo ne sanno, basta che fanno la foto per Istagram poi anche se mangiano nella trappole per turisti per loro è buono rapportato alla merda che mangiano di solito (apparte il BBQ l' unica tradizione culinaria valida che hanno) a noi dispiace fare figuracce ma è anche vero che spesso interessa più una foto che mangiare bene altrimenti andrebbero in qualche trattoria sperduta e non sempre nei soliti posti
That food could taste like crap and still be worth it. You know the italians are laughing at all the tourists who waste money to eat mediocre food with a great view.
I was in Polignano a Mare last year…beautiful place. Loved Puglia…traveled all around the province. Favorite pasta is from Bari - Spaghetti all’Assassina
No. If the food is trash then that ruins everything no matter the "view" or the companion present. You probably both had a better time at the second place.
Trattorias are absolutely the way to go in Italy. We have traveled several times to this beautiful country and some of the best culinary experiences have definitively been in trattorias. And usually the owners truly enjoy seeing you loving their food and the experience just gets even better.
@4:04 That might explain why the ultra-rich are such [expletive]. They're [expletive] *_hungry_* all the time. I suspect the staff eat better and more than the people who pay.
Unfortunately this place is just a scam. Anyone who uses Michelin, Gault & Millau, or World's 50 Best as a guide for fine dining would never end up in a place like this. I don't know where Guga got the "one of the best restaurant's in the world" but it for sure wasn't 1 of the reputable fine dining guides. They all stay clear of this place.
3:10 bro youre a multi-milionaire stop complaining about the price lmao it makes us think youre trying to trick us into thinking you had to scrape together this vacation which we know you didnt. man. not cool
Well he still knows the value of money and at least Guga earned his money over years of hard work and goes to the grocery store unlike our politicians who don't even know the prices of milk and eggs on our tax money salaries
No, he's right. People who have more money are responsible for teaching people that have less, that money has value and shouldn't be wasted just because you have a lot. Especially ripped off. I dislike rich people, but not when they behave like him.
I'm in Rome now and have been travelling between Italy and Romania before I go back to LA. I have been disappointed many times in Rome. Oddly enough I've had great dishes at the Rome Termini train station shops and food court.
This restaurant helps give fine dining a really bad name. It's a bad restaurant pretending to be a fine dining restaurant, and gets away with it for most people bc the view will keep people going there, and keep it in business. No reputable fine dining guide rates this place, eg Michelin, Gault & Millau, w50b, OAD, etc.
Wow, thank you for not pandering, and telling it like it is, right there at the table. From what you describe, this place is a waste of a lot of money. I would be totally sucked in by the location, the place looks absolutely gorgeous. I love caves and rock formations and crashing surf - I would die to have a wonderful meal here. But if the food flat-out sucks? For $580? And those tiny portions? If there are enough courses to eventually fill you up, that's the bomb. But you left hungry and had to eat another meal. And how can you possibly make a sea scallop boring? My mom makes awesome pan-seared sea scallops for almost nothing on top of the actual scallop cost. Who hired their head chef? I'll stop, because I'm BURSTING with rhetorical questions right now! :)
Personally I find it very disrespectful towards other customers to do food reviews in restaurants. If I saved a lot of money to go to an expensive restaurant to celebrate my honeymoon or something, I would be extremely unhappy if next to me was some youtuber who complained about the food aloud all the time I was there. I respect restaurants that have it banned. Opinions are of course allowed, but you dont need to talk about those inside the restaurant to spoil other peoples mood to whom its something they have looked forwards into and saved money, not some content creation. They want piece and judge things themselves, not hear someone next to them complaining. Horrible behavior.
My brother in law is Italian but lives in Australia. He booked us dinner at some Michelin star restaurant. I had the best pasta in my life there. The noodle it self was super delicious and had nice subtle sauce on it that added to the taste. It was amazing how the noodle was the focal point of the taste, not the sauce like all the pasta I have had.
I’m going too subscribe too your channel, as a retired fine dinning chef from England 🏴 I found your way of reviewing a resteraunt very refreshing, I loved your “ Stinky Cheese comment” about the risotto especially commendable ! Please review that dam would Resteraunt “ Noma “ in Denmark , it deserves your special attention, let’s destroy all the pretentious Fine Dinning resteraunts of the world 🌎
I'm glad that you had a better experience at the second restaurant but in Italy it is better to order regional food. Cacio e pepe and carbonara are Roman pasta dishes, as you said. In Puglia it is better to eat orecchiette alle cime di rapa (orecchiette with turnip tops/brocoli raab), riso patate e cozze, horse meat, focaccia, ect.
Been at the place (Polignano) couple of years ago with two friends. We didnt go to that place, but there are a couple of solid ones (and reasonably priced) around
what makes Italian food great is its simplicity, simple products yet high quality. once you deviate from that and try to be sophisticated you get 520 EURO bill.
Hi Guga! When in Italy run away from gourmet restaurant and aim directly to a good old trattoria. Believe me, I'm Italian. No need for gourmet food, just tradition.
The rule in Italy is, if you want really fabulous food, go to the little family run restaurants, the ones hidden in the back streets where Italians eat..... The tourist places are over priced rubbish.
Yes! A mom and pops restaurant 😊❤😋
Same in Hawaii, same in L.A's Koreatown and Chinatown, probably same everywhere.
General suggestions:
1 when you are in Italy and you want to eat well ask a local.
2 the more distant from downtown the better, because they need to do better to attract people
3 ask a local, don't be shy, Italians are social beasts you won't bother anyone
The rule goes for most restaurants all over the world. Tourist attractions dont mix with high quality restaurants most of the time. Tourist trap is a term for a reason. It only exists to steal money from foreigners.
Exactly thats the case for every city tbh
Trap is the right word indeed!. I love how you were brutally honest, and especially while you sit at the table
That restaurant where you were is probably the most overrated restaurant in south Italy, its called grotta palazzese, however there are a ton of delicious restaurants in that city (polignano a mare) that are cheaper and so so good. Please visit the city during the night, it's probably one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Great video Guga!
Like he did in the second half of the video?
@@BlackJesus8463 You mean the 1 clip during the last 2 minutes of the video?
thank you
It's like most Italian things, overrated.
It should be called the Goat's playpen based on the food they serve! Unfortunately, if this is rated top 10 in the world it is for views only and not the food.
I always prefer the less prominent restaurants to find out what they have in any country, and it's mostly always a great experience.
I love your honesty. In Venice I was asked if I enjoyed my soup. I answered honestly no! The waiter was genuinely shocked. I think they assume tourists do not have taste.
But it's not like they refund you or change it for something else for free, so what's the point of even asking?
Guga slamming this place while sitting inside it is gold
Those were 12 course portions on $100 plates!
I have sat on some rocks before and it didn't cost me 1k 😅
Precisely
Personally I find it very disrespectful towards other customers. If I saved a lot of money to go to an expensive restaurant to celebrate my honeymoon or something, I would be extremely unhappy if next to me was some youtuber who complained about the food aloud all the time I was there. I respect restaurants that have it banned. Opinions are allowed, but you dont need to talk about those inside the restaurant to spoil other peoples mood.
@@samuraidoggy in all likelihood you probably couldn't hear him.
From my experience in Italy, where I've been often as a southern German: I avoid the fancy restaurants, where the glasses are shiny and the table cloth is snow white. I always go to places with paper table cloth, away from the tourist areas and where "Mama" is cooking in the kitchen. That's where you'll find the best food
I would also say that for Portuguese restaurants too and pretty much any other restaurant around the world as a rule of thumb
you can also go to fancy restaurants, just make sure they are listed in the michelin guide and you will never be disappointed
@@RN-2099 that's true. But you pay for it.
If you want to eat for reasonable prices, the other method is better.
Or just read reviews… It’s not that hard
As an Italian I have to disagree, fine dining is excellent in Italy, if you can pay for it, at around 40/50 euros a person you can get some spectacular three course meals with wine, I feel paying less isn't always woth it, but maybe because the stuf I can find in those restaurants I can make myself at home
Guga looks like he's about ready to dry age the Chef
Soon as he’s finished with Angel..
"next im going to give the chef a nice souvee bath everybody"
In oyster sauce?
Best comment I've read all day👌
@@natesmith9888"He may not look good right now, but watch this..."
Amazing Guga, that's a few km where I live. I got engaged to my wife in that restaurant, it's all about the location, the food was below average and I unfortunately part of the memory was spoiled by a wine somellier that happened to be a prick. Just as many places in Puglia has a great potential but us poorly managed, love how they are getting a reality slap from nothing less than the best : Guga!
cos'ha fatto il cameriere?
@@sassofrasso4655 Alla semplie richiesta di consigliare un vino che si adatasse a quello che abbiamo ordinato da mangiare, il sommelier si e' comportato in maniera molto supponente, prima ridendoci in faccia e dicendo che la nostra richiesta era del tutto insensata, poi con rabbia repressa ha cercato di imbarazzarci poiche' non eravamo in grado di fornire una richiesta dettagliata in gergo da enologo. Dato che cmq sono pagati per aiutare e servire il cliente, e non umiliarlo, e con tanto che eravamo da un ristorante da 200 euro e passa a persona e non da Giorgione, cio' fa rimanere un po' di amaro in bocca. Ma ci ha giusto rovinato 2 minuti, tant'e' vero che alla fine il vino, che avevamo scelto noi, senza il suo aiuto, era buono. Oggi la mia risposta sarebbe stata molto diversa e non avrei lasciato far passare quel comportamento.
The whole town looks absolutely stunning! Fills me with pride to be an Italian, and I'm not even Italian! 😅
Considering all the legal troubles Grotta Palazzese had with Italian authorities over the past few years (HACCP violations, tax evasion, etc) it's incredible they're still open and fooling tourists. Ok the view, but it's a huge reputational damage for Polignano a Mare.
What a disgrace to the fine art of Italian food
Ma porco Dio, non potete avere un ristorante in una fottuta grotta! Saluti dal Veneto
There is only one explanation, mafia.
The view is a major part of the trap. Tourists come because of the view and the restaurant charges them high prices for it. The shtty food just comes as an "excuse".
Damn no way tax evasion?
I don't think anyone's disappointment has come through so much on any video of this kind 😂😂😂 Guga looking super mad in a relaxed way.
As an italian i feel so bad, places like this shouldn't exist. the location let you charge more for the bill but at that price you should offer amazing exquisite food. There are ton of restaurants where you can eat wonderful food without spending a lot. Hope Italy redemes itself. Sorry Guga
Don't feel bad. Those are tourists traps. They have places like that all over the world.
It's ok. Plenty of countries have tourist traps, even here in the USA we have plenty of tourist traps.
Gordon should visit the kitchen
As a regular Italy tourist ive learned that the food from Nonna at the local camping restaurant could be the best ever. Btw im from Amsterdam where its MOSTLY tourist traps, Italian food will always be on top of my list.🇮🇹
Well, in the restaurant defence tho, or not, the dishes shown are more like something I would order in Lombardia or Veneto.
As a born and raised Italian, I know that ordering most of those dishes below the Po river is basically like asking to be disappointed ahah
Great message at the end! Sometimes even bad experiences can make for great memories with the right partner.
This is probably the most honest food review video I've ever watched. 😅😅
I agree. That’s why I love Guga😊
Love your honesty. That's the Guga I follow!
I don't mind paying good money for good food. I despise when it's substandard and disappointing. It's difficult to eat out when you know you cook amazing things at home. At least the view was good... This is where people with too much money and bad taste go to eat. Thanks for trying it for us Guga as I will never be visiting that place.
And they give you just a taste of the disappointment!
I went to Greece this summer and there was this food truck on a cliff overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in Sithonia.
The food was ok, but the view was miles better than that.
And it cost us 8€ per person.
This. I do this!!! 😂 views are free and pack your own basket…
I'm so glad you finished up at the trattoria. I would have missed that sweet smile you get when the food is "amazing, everybody!"
In Italy if you want to eat good, you have to fly low and go for little restaurants, trattorie and agriturismo usually won't disappoint you, just try to ask locals to recommend where to eat the best food! Expensive "fine" restaurants are just a waste of money, not saying you are expected to always pay a low amount to eat good, there are expensive places where they cook cuts of meat, cured or dry aged, fiorentina for example, and the prices can go up. Thank you Guga to have visited my home country, you're always welcome! ♥
Fine restaurants can be good but this 1 is not.. This 1 has a reputation for being very, very bad especially for the price. There is a reason Michelin guide, Gault & Millau, W50B, OAD, La Liste, etc. stay away from this place. It is garbage.
To quote Mr. Krabs from SpongeBob Squarepants: "no body goes to a restaurant for atmosphere! They go for food!"
Been loving your content lately, I love the steak stuff, but man this is so much better
Awesome stuff Guga, all the way from Cape Town South Africa, Watched all your videos
Thank you for this video!
i'm happy my wife is a "down to earth kind of gal" she would have looked at the meny and said, lets split a pizza instead.
happily married for 22+ years, i love her with all my heart
Nice choice 😅
Except that place won't let you order anything else besides their full menu
@@dulceamaruie im pretty sure he was implying of leaving to go buy pizza else where.
Cause she knows you broke 😂
@@chaoseus or we both know what's important, and sitting on a shitty and expensive restaurant isn't for us.
I agree that the experience of touristy places can be... a trap.
Now, a few notes:
Touristy places are not where Italian food shines.
A restaurant usually excels in one main thing: meat, pasta, or fish... not all of them.
I know one place that excels in two, maybe three of these, but it's one place among many restaurants I know.
I always think of Italian food as the kind of meal a grandma makes for her grandchild with whatever she has at home (maybe because that's how I learned it), not as fancy restaurant fare. That's why most comments suggest finding a familiar restaurant.
There are fancy, amazing places, but maybe only one or two per city. The rest will excel in one thing.
I think you did an amazing and honest review. I'll keep following your great channel :) Thanks!
Guga you are looking amazing , congrats my brother
I realise other people wrote it, but before even watching all of it, I can tell you - that restaurant is all about the view. It's never been one of the best restaurants in the world and regarded as being VERY overrated.
As someone who used to go to Polignano a Mare several times, the whole place is good for photos and views, but the beach is crowded and the stones are uncomfortable.
Giovinazzo is much nicer to walk through, even if the view isn't as photogenic. I say that as someone who has been there pretty much every year except for last year.
The other thing this restaurant fails at, is taking advantage of the incredible seafood the region has to offer. When I was there I could go to the local fishmonger and get EXCEPTIONAL fish at a good price.
Why is a place in Puglia serving Wagyu, Caviar and Gorgonzola, Truffle? Truffle and Gorgonzola are from NORTHERN Italy. The south is completely different. They could save a lot of money serving local products and would get even better reviews.
Also go to LULA in Trani. Incredible bakery.
Guga, you gotta remember that for a large portion of tourists who come to this place, they come from all over the world. Many (most) countries that don't have decent Italian food available to them. So, this is life-changing along with the scenery for them.
I just came back from Italy and can honestly say, the tourist food spots are mostly terrible. The empty holes-in-the-walls are the best spots.
Empty holes-in-the-wall? I can accept that small, unremarkable restaurant can have great food. But a place with great food would not be empty.
@@MarkDeSade100 empty meaning, there isn't a line of 400 people waiting for 6 hours to be seated. Lots of places in Italy were like this.
The absolute majority of all italian reviews for that restaurant say exactly what Guga experienced: it's beautiful, the food is pretty but generally overpriced and mildly to extremely dissatisfactory. Even people that love the place praise the simple fact it's gorgeous and pass over the fact that the food is mediocre at best. At that level of cost I think expecting at least excellent taste is a given.
Kind of weird that they dont even make it excellent. I mean, it wouldnt cost them anymore to have good chefs and foods for the same price. Maybe the owners and chefs are connected somehow, otherwise they would amp up their game?
Love your honest reviews, Guga! You are the best!!!
Love you're honesty
As a person who plays saxophone in 3 different bands locally, I too find the sax music annoying. I would prefer the wonderful sound from the "surf" below.
Could you only imagine being the table directly beside the Saxophone player... not even 7-8ft away with nothing but a spaced out steel railing in-between them both that either one could climb over if they wanted to. That would be absolute torture eating there. They should have a dug-out spot in the lower or upper cave solely for this saxophone player that's a ways away from all the tables where sound will still carry a bit, but not overwhelming if they are going to have him play his instrument literally ALL afternoon/night each day.
You barely notice the sax during a busy service and the guests seemed to enjoy it when I went. I just sense, as the reviewer said, he is bitter about the prices, so he is likely subconsciously finding faults where there aren't any.
It's not cheap, but if dining there, you need to put it to the back of your head and just enjoy the experience.
@@Kevinacharles Except a restaurant "experience" should include decent food.
@@classicsciencefictionhorro1665 Have you eaten there? I have, and the food was very good.
I love your take at the end, that spending it with your loved one always makes it a worthwhile experience. Sorry the food was no good. The view looks amazing tho. Sad they seem to rely on just that instead of putting out solid food
This is hilarious. Guga being honest about an overpriced eatery WHILE still eating at the table is great. Turns out you're just paying for the view. Guga's interactions with his wife off cam is pretty funny too. Solid.
this restaurant is NOTORIOUS for that. idk where he got "one of the best restaurants in the world" from but it damn sure wasn't any reputable guide like W50B, OAD, La Liste, Gault & Millau, or Michelin
Looks like Gordon has found another location for kitchen nightmares. 🤣
That is why I always check Google reviews. This place has a rating of 4.0 and that is terrible for a restaurant. Never go anywhere that has less than 4.4 with sane pricees. 4.7 for expensive
tourist trap they think overpriced = quality. Just look at Vegas or Salt Bae
I check Guga reviews
This is a general good policy. If the place is expensive, the rating will reflect that. I usually read 2 and 4 star ratings because they are usually the most honest, but I do not discount 5 star either.
a lot of people trying to justify the costs with those review
The best thing to do is go straight at 1 star reviews and do selective reviews. Some 1 star reviews will only say "bad" and some will give an actual constructive criticism. And also look at the time the reviews posted since sometimes the restaurant could change
I'm glad you went together, even if the food was not what you expected and not worth the price. It's one of those things you will never forget together. You didn't mention how she like the pasta dishes from the trattoria, but they looked really delicious.
Thx for the video (and the warning) in the late 1970's we were childless for the first 4 years of marriage with good jobs and often ate out , there was an Indian restaurant that you not only had to make a reservation but choose your meal two days in advance , we went with the chicken , it was a pick your protein , so for 100 bucks of late 1970's dollars each we were treated to a chicken drumstick each and about a quarter of a cup of lentils with naan bread on the side , this was in an old house on the main street of the city and we were served in some kids old bedroom i'm guessing and the place was the talk of the town at the time for how exclusive it was , the drumstick was ok but the lentils were horrible and the waitress gave me crap for not eating them , we stopped off at KFC for a bucket of chicken on the way home and back then it was still delicious an had the real gravy that's no longer available , nothing like the good old days 🤣
The fact Mrs. Guga calls it a 7 just for the view and the company is kinda sweet. Like, it didn't (totally) matter how the service or food was, just that yall got to spend time together somewhere nice, that you thought enough to take her somewhere nice. That she's worth anything you could give.
Thank you Guga for sacrificing yourself for your community 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Another Italian here...I love food and while it's true that in Italy on average you find good food, we also have a lot of "bad restaurants" or even just ones where the food is highly below the level you would expect. I've never dined there and in general, except for once, I've never dined in high priced restaurant (luckily my only experience was marvelous in a restaurant called "Il Centro di Priocca") but I guess they're no exception. I like that you put a "normal restaurant" to show the comparison, very nice video!
That’s sad! They took a location that had the perfect ambience built in and ruined it by overthinking the menu. I went to a place in Brazil that had a similar setting and all I had was torresmo com mandioca and a beer. Everything was perfect and it only cost pennies! I would take that over this place any day!
i dont think they "overthink" the food, the presentation and all goes in the right direction, it seems more like they hired a bad chef for cooking the 200€ food.
In a place like that, a pizza buffet would do well, whatever the price
Guga, you really didn't need words to let us know how bad and disappointing the food was. Your facial expressions said it all. They were priceless. That food was so overpriced and so little. Unbelievable that they charge so much and are so stingy with the food. 520 for the bill: 40 for the food, 480 for the view, zero for the annoying music. Good video. Good review.
I remember going to a high-end sushi restaurant in Southern California with my brother expecting the best sushi we ever had. We spent hundreds of dollars on very, very small portions of sub-par sushi. I've had better sushi at a $20 all you can eat restaurant. We left, still very hungry and unsatisfied, so we went to a Carl's Jr. drive thru.
I dislike fish but jeez do i feel so bad for you. Did you get the western bacon?
Was probably the same restaurant I went to too. Spent over $300 and for subpar sushi. Was still hungry.
@@TheVang86 dangggg... so unfortunate. Try to please remember the name to save others from this horrible fate as well. These places need to change or face the consequences of being shut down.
had the same experience in Santorini only about twice as expensive because it only had 8 tables. We left hungry, but happy. Paying for the view and the experience.
I get that fine dining is an experience, not an all you can eat Las Vegas buffet, but this restaurant's portions, stingy rationing of high-cost ingredients, and poor quality are inexcusable. They would be better off charging EVEN more if that's what it take to provide a world class experience.
My wife and I ate at Guy Savoy in Las Vegas--which was more expensive than this seaside Italian restaurant. We enjoyed the world class experience we paid for. The staff knew we weren't members of the 1%, but they treated us as though we were! If you're going to charge premium prices, deliver a premium experience! We will always remember the experience and forgot about the price after we paid the credit card bill.
At osteria francescana in modena, that is a three michelin stars resturant you pay 350€ for 15 courses and the wine pairing is 240€, in this resturant for the same price you get 6 courses and the wine paiings is 400€ and the food looked just average with caviar and truffle used to spike the price, it's a tourist trap, they sell the opportunity to get a selfie to put on instagram.
That said I'm also not happy with the look of the pasta in the trattoria, I think you can find better with some research on tripadvisor.
You can't compare a 2 star Michelin Restaurant to a tourist trap like this.
@@MrGroberUnfug I'm not, I'm using it as a meter to show how overpriced this restaurant is.
Thank you for a very entertaining review. I also agree about the terrible music. Actually I loathe any music at restaurants. When we eat Mexican, we came sure beforehand that there isn't a mariachi band.
That carbonara at the end looked suuuper delish. I'm not a fan of fine dining and I'm blessed to have married someone who's the same as me. Glad you're wife is like you, Guga lol.
Great video, well done. I go to Italy a lot, I almost never eat in expensive Ristorante, only trattorias, pizzerias, bars at the aperitif hour, inns and traditional home cooking style places, etc. Almost never disappointed if I ask around first for recommendations.
1:43 "so, mini men..." classic Guga
I love your travel and review shows the best keep it up.
This is THE fancy restaurant
Yes indeed
The food says that claim is a lie. 🤣
THE CRAP*
but they don't dry age steak with oyster sauce!
That's a good video, thanks Guga.
You're just a short drive away to Vito's new pizzeria restaurant in Torre a Mare. You should visit him. He would be so surprised. if you're starving after these expensive meals he's going to take really good care of you!
Believe it or not I've been here three times, I was there in 2022 looking for a house and we were staying in Polignano a mare. We made reservations accidently for two days . The first day we went it was beautiful and romantic, the waiter was great and recommended a great local wine and we decided to do the largest coarse tasting. I was so excited until the first course came and it was a local red shrimp served raw but these didn't smell or taste fresh so couldn't eat it luckily we were right up against the railing so we tossed it into the water everything we got past that was just worse most of what we got went into the deep sea. The next day we went we thought we will do this smart and order only things we thought they couldn't mess up. Well guess what they did it again it was all not only bad but vile and mostly inedible. The first two times we were there we sat once where you sat and the table right next to that, the third time we brought some friends and the sat us above on the higher level right next to that fricking saxophone player , of all things to have a f- ring loud sad player, how about a guitar or a violin something les ear bleeding . Anyway the last time we went it was the worst ever, we got a waiter from hell that just walked up to us and said "are you ready" no can I offer you a drink, hello, welcome? Nothing anyway food again was terrible sax terrible, view and actual restaurant amazing, I've been trying to figure if I can just order a 500 euro bottle of wine and a basket of bread?
Alternative title: Schizophrenic ventriloquist gets scammed in Italy's #1 tourist trap
Thanks for your honesty
Every time I see truffles, caviar and "gold" over food, I already know it will be pricey instead of delicious. If you are confident in your food, you don't need those things just to charge more money. It's a sacrilege to serve bad food with a view like that.
Olive Garden sounds like a better plan
Wow! Worse than Olive Garden is the ultimate insult to any restaurant let alone an Italian Restaurant...in Italy. OUCH!!!!
I can totaly agree with you. Except for 1 thing. The gorgonzola is an amazing chees with a lot of flavour and complexity, this is not a cheese for Americans that are used to extremely fat low quality not-matured cheeses, this can make a big difference, and I can totally understand how someone that is not use to complex cheeses wouldn't like it
The best lasagna I've ever had was in a small back alley restaurant in Venice. Nothing expensive.
WOW. Was it one of those restaurants only locals go to? So amazing
I'm from Polignano and in a really old follower of you. I'm sorry for your expirience but honestly I don't know many friend of mine who went to eat there.
As your wife said it's quite unique for the view but the rest is just for tourists.
There are very good restaurant in Polignano but with that much money you could go to basically every Michelin starred restaurant in puglia which are mind-blowing.
No wonder a lot of rich people are slim with portion sizes like that. I'll stick to being a fat bastard and pay 10% of that price.
I’m with you on that one
Quality over quantity. Not that that place had either but man you should take better care of yourself.
Guga you rock!
Restaurants in Europe not common to serve Japanese Wagyu… if they do it will be crazy expensive.. on the plus wine in Europe is really cheap… I ordered a bottle of Tignanello in Florence and it’s 3x cheaper than what i pay in Tokyo
what funny is that wagyu are mixed breed of europe cattles too , european countries have to buy them back ,lol
Guga love your videos!! An unrequested suggestion would be to try regional dishes and not the Roman ones there.
They are famous for orecchiette with fresh tomato sauce with grated fresh cacioricotta cheese and that is amazing for example.
That's crazy how much the charge with how little they offer 🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️
You go to those fancy views for drinks. You go to those holes-in-the-wall for the food.
In Italy there are 20 regions, each one has it’s own typical food, the best way to enjoy good italian food is asking for local recipes, avoid instagram fancy locations and follow the locals…the first restaurant doesn’t need any more comment, but if you’re in Puglia and order cacio e pepe and carbonara in a trattoria you’re missing the point
Totally agree
What should one order? Clueless Irish-American here.
So americani che cazzo ne sanno, basta che fanno la foto per Istagram poi anche se mangiano nella trappole per turisti per loro è buono rapportato alla merda che mangiano di solito (apparte il BBQ l' unica tradizione culinaria valida che hanno) a noi dispiace fare figuracce ma è anche vero che spesso interessa più una foto che mangiare bene altrimenti andrebbero in qualche trattoria sperduta e non sempre nei soliti posti
@@lufo5 Yeah, none of those dishes are from Apulia.
"avoid instagram fancy locations"
My god this was fun to watch! No disrespect for you getting bad food but you should do more of these fancy restaurant food reviews :)
oh no I know this place the place is good but the food eww
Good video!! Just by the looks of the restaurant you can taste the tragedy 😂!! Simple family run trattorias are the way to go
That food could taste like crap and still be worth it. You know the italians are laughing at all the tourists who waste money to eat mediocre food with a great view.
Yes Guga! Don't hold back my man!
Cowboy Kent Rollins has a saying, "You Can't Get Full on Fancy".
I was in Polignano a Mare last year…beautiful place. Loved Puglia…traveled all around the province. Favorite pasta is from Bari - Spaghetti all’Assassina
No. If the food is trash then that ruins everything no matter the "view" or the companion present. You probably both had a better time at the second place.
Yes, but I would have ordered at the second place, perhaps just one pasta dish, and then something more substantial and local... Like seafood.
Trattorias are absolutely the way to go in Italy. We have traveled several times to this beautiful country and some of the best culinary experiences have definitively been in trattorias. And usually the owners truly enjoy seeing you loving their food and the experience just gets even better.
it looks so bad😂 I think you got scammed😂
Welp now everyone knows
Guga keeping it real, much respect!
@4:04 That might explain why the ultra-rich are such [expletive]. They're [expletive] *_hungry_* all the time.
I suspect the staff eat better and more than the people who pay.
Unfortunately this place is just a scam. Anyone who uses Michelin, Gault & Millau, or World's 50 Best as a guide for fine dining would never end up in a place like this. I don't know where Guga got the "one of the best restaurant's in the world" but it for sure wasn't 1 of the reputable fine dining guides. They all stay clear of this place.
Sorry yall had a bad time, but I do love the honesty! Your wife is hilarious I love it!
3:10 bro youre a multi-milionaire stop complaining about the price lmao it makes us think youre trying to trick us into thinking you had to scrape together this vacation which we know you didnt. man. not cool
Well he still knows the value of money and at least Guga earned his money over years of hard work and goes to the grocery store unlike our politicians who don't even know the prices of milk and eggs on our tax money salaries
Yeah right, because someone has money, he can't complain as well? If the prices are outrageous everyone has the right to express their opinion
No, he's right.
People who have more money are responsible for teaching people that have less, that money has value and shouldn't be wasted just because you have a lot.
Especially ripped off.
I dislike rich people, but not when they behave like him.
I'm in Rome now and have been travelling between Italy and Romania before I go back to LA. I have been disappointed many times in Rome. Oddly enough I've had great dishes at the Rome Termini train station shops and food court.
That was a very fair review. Nice job.
Guga's face in 6:18 perfectly captures the escence of fine dinning.
This restaurant helps give fine dining a really bad name. It's a bad restaurant pretending to be a fine dining restaurant, and gets away with it for most people bc the view will keep people going there, and keep it in business. No reputable fine dining guide rates this place, eg Michelin, Gault & Millau, w50b, OAD, etc.
Wow, thank you for not pandering, and telling it like it is, right there at the table. From what you describe, this place is a waste of a lot of money. I would be totally sucked in by the location, the place looks absolutely gorgeous. I love caves and rock formations and crashing surf - I would die to have a wonderful meal here. But if the food flat-out sucks? For $580? And those tiny portions? If there are enough courses to eventually fill you up, that's the bomb. But you left hungry and had to eat another meal. And how can you possibly make a sea scallop boring? My mom makes awesome pan-seared sea scallops for almost nothing on top of the actual scallop cost. Who hired their head chef? I'll stop, because I'm BURSTING with rhetorical questions right now! :)
Personally I find it very disrespectful towards other customers to do food reviews in restaurants. If I saved a lot of money to go to an expensive restaurant to celebrate my honeymoon or something, I would be extremely unhappy if next to me was some youtuber who complained about the food aloud all the time I was there. I respect restaurants that have it banned. Opinions are of course allowed, but you dont need to talk about those inside the restaurant to spoil other peoples mood to whom its something they have looked forwards into and saved money, not some content creation. They want piece and judge things themselves, not hear someone next to them complaining. Horrible behavior.
Guga looking like a different guy! Whatever you're doing, keep doing it!
is it the same way at the fancy celebrity-filled restaurants in California or New York city?
Sort of like the "Emperors new clothes".
My brother in law is Italian but lives in Australia. He booked us dinner at some Michelin star restaurant. I had the best pasta in my life there. The noodle it self was super delicious and had nice subtle sauce on it that added to the taste. It was amazing how the noodle was the focal point of the taste, not the sauce like all the pasta I have had.
I’m going too subscribe too your channel, as a retired fine dinning chef from England 🏴 I found your way of reviewing a resteraunt very refreshing, I loved your “ Stinky Cheese comment” about the risotto especially commendable ! Please review that dam would Resteraunt “ Noma “ in Denmark , it deserves your special attention, let’s destroy all the pretentious Fine Dinning resteraunts of the world 🌎
Now I need recommandations for my trip to Rome, Puglia and Sicily :)
Agree with Guga. When you leave these fancy restaurant, you still feel hungry as the portions are so tiny.
Guga, you should try Budapest, next, very inexpensive but holy moly
I'm glad that you had a better experience at the second restaurant but in Italy it is better to order regional food. Cacio e pepe and carbonara are Roman pasta dishes, as you said. In Puglia it is better to eat orecchiette alle cime di rapa (orecchiette with turnip tops/brocoli raab), riso patate e cozze, horse meat, focaccia, ect.
Been at the place (Polignano) couple of years ago with two friends. We didnt go to that place, but there are a couple of solid ones (and reasonably priced) around
Good info, thanks
what makes Italian food great is its simplicity, simple products yet high quality.
once you deviate from that and try to be sophisticated you get 520 EURO bill.
And you wore your best tee shirt. Fantastic.
Hi Guga! When in Italy run away from gourmet restaurant and aim directly to a good old trattoria. Believe me, I'm Italian. No need for gourmet food, just tradition.