I remember - stationed at San Vito Air Station in San Vito dei Normanni - about 11 miles from the port city of Brindisi on the boot heel....lots of agricultural, small town areas with the “big city” close by......nothing like a mom and pop ristorante to enjoy a great meal!
My pop was born in Italy and I’ve been there a number of times, but I know no area as well as you know the ones you’ve seen.
my visits add up to maybe 2 months over a lifetime.
Yours was 2 and a half years!!
What you describe sounds beautiful.
And yes a mom and pop in Italy is definitely a treat for the senses!