One of the best trattorias I have ever eaten in is located in Matera and is called Dalla Padella alla Brace. It is located in the upper part of the city, a stone's throw from the Sassi and is a highly sought after place, therefore it is necessary to book in advance. The restaurant is very welcoming and well-ordered, it is not very large and for this reason it cannot accommodate many people.
It is a unique and airy room and the scents of the kitchen come in and out through a door that goes into the kitchen where a great coming and going of people is busy so that all the dishes reach the customers' tables. We ordered a platter of local cold cuts and cheeses, very beautiful to look at but above all to eat!
The peculiarity of the local cuisine are the cured meats and cheeses: there are many family-run companies that raise animals such as pigs, chickens, goats and cows from which excellent quality raw products such as hams, cheeses and eggs. The animals live in large open spaces, being Matera a city that rises on an important small mountain range, and here there is an enormous availability of forage, water from the mountain range, clean air. Ideal conditions for the animals to grow up healthy and without stress, as happens in large industrial breeding centers.
The typicality of local cuisine is to present extremely simple dishes, without too many artifacts or ornaments, relying precisely on the goodness of its ingredients. Matera bread is certified among the best in the country: it comes with this magnificent crunchy sea bream crust, which hides a much softer and more tender heart. The scent tells almost all the love that is behind the processing of bread, from its initial preparation, to processing and finally to cooking in a wood oven.
The bread is also excellent served with tomato, rocket and olive oil, an Italian dish, a poor dish but expresses the maximum of the goodness and freshness of the ingredients. Crusco pepper, dried pepper, is a typical local ingredient and is served almost everywhere, especially in first courses, accompanied by a pepper sauce. Personally I don't like this vegetable but the way it has been mixed in the sauce is really very pleasant, difficult to refuse a dish like this.
We then ordered the fresh pasta made by the chef with wild boar ragout and a fresh pasta with melted cheese and dried peppers. A nice cut of beef with rocket and flaky cheese, some fresh fruit. A truly incredible place to spend a few hours in the full tradition of Matera cuisine! The staff has been truly impeccable since our arrival, they explained each ingredient to us and even recommended some courses according to our tastes. The meal ended with an excellent amaro, always artisanal product, which has a high alcohol content but has an instant effect in helping the management process, also leaving an excellent herb flavor that rinses the palate.
Lunch cost 25 euros per person, a fair price for the quality and quantity of courses. A place that will surely be the subject of further visits in the future!