What an unforgettable afternoon at Osteria San Francesco in Matera! On a rare sunny Sunday when everyone else was at the beach, we had the entire place to ourselves and received the most warm, personalized hospitality from Chef and owner Nicola himself.
We started with fresh bread and exceptional local olive oil, followed by the region’s famous peperoni cruschi — those beautiful sun-dried sweet red peppers from Basilicata, flash-fried until perfectly crispy. They’re light as a chip with a delicate sweetness that’s absolutely addictive.
Next came gorgeous red prawns over a smooth fava bean puree with chicory, then their special saffron risotto for two — light, creamy, with lovely citrus notes. For the main, we both had the slowly braised veal cheek that melted like butter, served over rich, buttery mashed potatoes (Nicola’s secret? “Of course, it’s all the butter!”).
We finished with a classic tiramisu and some wonderful local wines. Everything was cooked to perfection with such care and pride.
If you’re in Matera, do yourself a favor and book a table here. This is exactly why we travel — for genuine moments like this. Highly recommended! 
