Sei Stelle Mama

Reviewing the bar on the square. Over priced drinks compared to the bars either side Soulless service. Overpriced drinks and the service charge added is ridiculous (the nibbles were nice though) The place is the Six Star and most certainly isn’t even 1 star !!!! Avoid at all costs !!!!

This review is of the terrace bar in the square. We did not stay at the hotel. We stayed in Bari and took a sight seeeing day trip. My wife and I arrived late morning and thought we'd grab a seat for a couple of coffees and a 'traditional cake' to start the visit off. No agenda, no timeframes, nice and relaxed. Wish we hadn't bothered, terrible service topped off with bad attitudes all round, from a waitress to whoever the senior person (lady) was behind the counter. This was on Wednesday 8th May 24 It was a simple request that turned a would be pleasant coffee stop into a wind up. We sat at an available table and waited to be served. We checked the menu and noted the cover charge that was said to be for waitress service and 'snacks' at 2.50 euro. No worries. Once the young waitress finished having her photo shoot for TikTok from a colleague as we watched on, she took the time out of her busy schedule to transit the gap from her perch at door to our table on the square. We ordered a cappuccino, an espresso and a 'traditional cake.' The skill of communicating with us without once looking up from her tablet from the point of departing from the door to returning to it was awe inspiring. The coffees arrived within about 10 minutes, but no cake with them. But as they were deposited on the table without a word and midway through what is best described as a rapid spin and body swerve back in the general direction of the counter, led us to presume that she was heading back for our 'traditional cake.' She didn't return. OK. Perhaps she'd forgotten we'd ordered cake? Espresso was getting cold, so down the hatch. The cappuccino was also now getting cold and was being sipped with those tiny tiny sips that my wife employed in an effort to try to eek out the coffee for as long as she might, in anticipation of the arrival of some lovely traditional cake and aiming to retain something to wash it down with. The coffees were long gone after 15 minutes and the thought was that she'd definitely forgotten. No worries. Such is life. Think of the damage to the wasteline that had been narrowly avoided :D It was time to move on, so I toddled off to the till at the counter and was presented with a bill including 9 euros for the cake. I politely pointed out that the much anticipated delicacy was sadly never delivered, that we had consoled each other over our joint disappointment, that we would try to get over it and that it should be removed from the bill. From the freakish scowls that met my request, I thought 'Ey up! Something's amiss!" And so repeated that we had never received any cake. There were puzzled glances between the members of the mob. Then I was told... "it's coming!" And a cake was plonked on the counter. I explained that (1) the waitress said nothing when she brought the coffees over to let us know the cake was following (if it ever was) and (2) it was no good delivering cake 20 minutes after we'd had our coffee.

We visited here for a glass of wine while visiting Polignano. It appeared charming from the outside and is located in the historic centre of the town. I'm annoyed at myself for not asking for a price list. Having been travelling in Puglia for some weeks now we have not found there to be a rip-off culture. Stella Mama is an exception. It was €27 for a small glass of wine, a watery limoncello and a few tiny and tasteless bruschette. A good reminder to first ask for a menu as most places with nothing to hide will have their prices on display! Thank you for a good lesson in avoiding tourist trap rip-off in the future.

What an amazing experience we had here! I would highly reccomend this place to family and friends. Not only was it in the perfect location but the staff was amazing!!! They were kind, attentative and extremly friendly. What a great trip.