La Cuccagna Giro di Vite

La Cuccagna Giro di Vite is a historic restaurant established in 1969 in Crispiano, a town celebrated for its numerous farmhouses. Originally founded as a butcher shop with an on-site cooking service by Martino Marsella, it remains family-run under the stewardship of his children, Gianni and Rosanna Marsella. The venue blends a sense of warmth and abundance with updated interiors that honor Puglian culinary traditions. The kitchen, led by chef Paola Ortesta, reinterprets local recipes using seasonal and authentic ingredients native to the region. Housed in one of Crispiano’s earliest 19th-century buildings, the restaurant offers an intimate atmosphere steeped in history and family heritage. Gianni Marsella curates a wine cellar featuring fine Burgundian vintages, sparkling wines, and rare selections from small terroir-driven producers. The menu focuses on Puglian specialties including antipasti with salumi, spaghettone Senatore Cappelli with zucchini and provolone, and orecchiette with asparagus and anchovy fried bread. Meat dishes are central, highlighted by mixed roasts and braised veal cheek in Negroamaro. Traditional desserts such as crostata with custard and amarena cherries complete the experience.