Osteria Malatesta, the finer place.

No fancy chairs. No fancy tables. No fancy décor.  I like all that about Osteria Malatesta in Matera. A  quaint city in the south of Italy.  Instead, the tavern focuses on tasty Italian food. Mainly pasta dishes. Good wine from local vineyards, too.  Yes, the basics. No frills. Though they toss in live jazz music. Played on the piano and the saxophone.  My Italian true love discovered Osteria Malatesta. By reading about it. And so we went out of our way to find the place. In a secluded neighborhood. In the old section of Matera. Little wonder that I listen to my true love’s advice.  Especially when it comes to exploring the nooks and crannies of her dear Italy. Her credo is to find the restorantes frequented by the locals. And maybe missed by the tourists. Because they aren’t fancy enough.  I could have stayed all night. Absorbing the simple things of life.  And the clientele. We speculated about the customers. Seated at the next table. A couple. Looked Greek.  I was tempted to ask. But I don’t speak Greek or much Italian. And my true love prefers that we mind our own business.  Which we did.  Enjoying the food and drink. The bill came to only 33 euros. Earlier in the week, on New Year’s Eve, we ate at a more fancy restorante. Cost 129 euros.  Give me Osteria Malatesta any day.  It’s the superior place. –Jim Broede