Il Cortiletto in Puglia: The Courtyard That Stole My Heart (and Should Charge More)
When La Gringa makes a dinner reservation, I know we’re in for something special. This time, she wanted a spot that wasn’t just another trattoria — but also not the kind of fine dining temple where you whisper your order. Something elevated, boutique, and full of character.
After some searching, she found Il Cortiletto, a restaurant that, in true Miami fashion, hits that sweet spot between sophistication and comfort (yes, I’ll share our Miami favorites soon).
First Impressions
The name Cortiletto means “small courtyard” — and at first glance, the entrance looked like… well, just another modest trattoria. My inner skeptic almost called it. But then we stepped into the courtyard, and magic happened.
Charming. I don’t even use that word lightly.
The tables, the warm lighting, the way the space seemed to invite conversation — it all just worked.
Wine First, Doubts Gone
Our server suggested a white wine, Verdeca, from one of my favorite wineries, Cantine Amalberga. (No, it wasn’t a generic house label from an egocentric owner — you know the type.) That moment told me this place was different.
A Feast in the Courtyard
We started with the antipasti tasting for two — though they kindly accommodated us so our whole table could enjoy
Selection of cold cuts
Cheese platter
Meatballs
Eggplant with saffron
Zucchini flan
Smoked ricotta & salad
Heaven. Pure heaven.
By the time the pastas arrived — each cooked to perfection — we were already convinced: this was not your typical Italian “good food, bad service” experience.
Service That Breaks the Italian Rule
Here’s the thing: in Italy, service is rarely bad because people are rude — it’s bad because it’s slow, unstructured, and lacks urgency.
Il Cortiletto? The complete opposite. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and somehow ran the dining room with both grace and efficiency.
It felt… professional. Elevated. Profitable.
Final Verdict
Il Cortiletto should be ten times more expensive.
It gave me the best service experience in all of Italy. The food? Outstanding. The vibe? Unreal — music, ambiance, warmth, perfection.
If you’re in Puglia and want to see what Italian hospitality looks like when done at its very best, make a reservation. Just don’t be surprised if, next time, they’re charging more.