I realize that I should have written this review at least ten years ago when I first started going to this intimate, fifteen tables restaurant with my wife-to-be, but anyway: Being so lucky as to live the greater part of the year within walking distance of two of the best pizzerias in Bari, i.e. La Tana and Da Donato, we have frequently visited both, as well as used their takeaway service several times.
Now, Da Donato is admittedly a little better at making traditional pizzas like the Margherita, but nevertheless La Tana is our choice four out of five times. There are mainly four reasons for this.
The first is the passion and pride with which these guys prepare each single pizza, it is visible in the expression in their faces, in every inch of their bodies and every second of their movements. It might look easy, but it is the result of endless experience accumulated by the same people over many years.
Reason number two is intimately connected to the first: The creativity of their recipes. This is also connected to the very experience of eating there. Let me explain. When a group sits down at the table to have a pizza, each guest normally chooses his or her preferred kind of pizza. In this restaurant, however, another option is often chosen: Each pizza is different, one arrives after another, and each one is divided into the number of guests present. In this way, everyone can have as many different slices as the are persons present. When doing this, the choice of ingredients can be left to the pizzaiolo, who is invited to create new combinations. Some of these combinations have been so successful that they have been added to the menu, which is divided into traditional and special pizzas. Anyway, this renders the experience of eating a pizza out much less predictable, and everyone can discuss each different taste.
The third reason is the quality of their hot and cold antipasti. Starters are a big thing in the Puglia region, and the ones at La Tana have one of the best price/quality ratios around.
Finally, La Tana has a more buzzling and informal atmosphere, all the tables being packed together in a single room, and not divided in compartments, as is the norm elsewhere. So you won't choose this place for a super private conversation.
A final critical note: The home delivery is often rather slow, so it's better to go there and pick up the pizzas yourself.
A piece of advice: The restaurant normally fills up by 9 PM, maybe a bit earlier on Saturdays, so unless you want to wait for a table, it is better to show up at eight, at least no later than eight thirty.