Today we are in Polignano a Mare, a jewel set on Apulia's Adriatic coast where the scent of the sea mingles with that of typical dishes. Polignano, famous for its white houses, breathtaking cliffs and artistic heritage, is the ideal setting to explore the Pruna braceria restaurant, where every dish tells a story of passion and authenticity.
We are welcomed by the warm embrace of an ambience that celebrates Apulian tradition, with its pale walls and beautiful garden framed by white stones. Here, the beauty of tradition blends harmoniously with a touch of modernity and design, creating an atmosphere that enhances the essence of Apulia, in a perfect balance between history and innovation.
We take a seat under the pergola sheltering the garden, immersed in an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. Welcoming us with a smile comes Marica Lippolis, the burning heart behind this gastronomic proposal.
The dream stems from her father Mimmo, a butcher for over forty years, who initiated the project and passed on to Marica and her sisters his passion for meat and barbecuing. Since before the pandemic, the family had been planning to create a place that would express this heritage, but obstacles related to Covid made the path longer and more complex than expected. However, determination never failed and, after many challenges, Pruna opened its doors in June 2023.
Marica Lippolis explains the origin of the name ‘prūna’, which has its roots in Latin, where the word recalls the image of burning embers, a perfect symbol for a restaurant that celebrates cooking on the grill. We then enthusiastically begin our experience with zero-kilometre raw materials through a simple menu that strictly follows the seasonality of the products.
The first encounter with culinary delight at the Pruna restaurant is with the Tartare di scottona. The tender and tasty meat is accompanied by a crunchy crumble of Apulian frisella and enriched with a delicate aromatic green oil, which enhances the freshness of the ingredients.
This is followed by raw and marinated meat carpaccio, served with a light tuna sauce that lends creaminess, while crispy kataifi pastry adds an intriguing contrast of textures.
The first course is a workhorse: the Pruna cappellacci, made with grano arso pasta from one of Apulia's best pasta companies with a filling made exclusively for the restaurant, with a rustic, smoky flavour, served on a velvety yellow date sauce and topped with crispy basil leaves for a touch of freshness.
Immediately afterwards, we are treated to a second course fit for a king: tender suckling pig covered with a crunchy pistachio crust, accompanied by sweet and sour vegetables that balance the flavours, and a velvety Jerusalem artichoke cream that adds a hint of softness.
To finish in grand style, we savour the Pruna scomposta: a mouth-watering and refined dessert, with a soft and enveloping Chantilly cream, accompanied by fresh berries, served with a contemporary touch.
The wine list is curated by Marica Lippolis herself. An AIS-certified sommelier for two years, her passion for wine began long before it became a profession. She explains how she personally dedicates herself to the choice of wines, studying the perfect combination with the dishes and in particular with the vast selection of mature meats.
For water, the choice is undoubtedly San Benedetto Millennium Water. It won over the Lippolis family with the lightness of the water originating from a thousand-year-old aquifer with only 0.0001% nitrates, which perfectly accompanies the flavours of the braceria. Moreover, its linear and elegant 0.65L glass format blends harmoniously with the style of the restaurant.
This concludes our visit to Pruna, where we enjoyed dishes that celebrate the Apulian tradition through the art of grilling, enriched with a touch of passion and modernity. Polignano a Mare welcomed us with its breathtaking beauty, while the Pruna restaurant offered us an authentic culinary experience and a not-to-be-missed opportunity to immerse ourselves in the gastronomic soul of Apulia and be captivated by a unique sensory journey.
Pruna, Polignano a Mare (BA)
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