Sapio — Restaurant in Catania

We arrived to the restaurant at our reservation time at 8 PM. Once seated, we had to wait for 15 minutes just to get the menu. After another 15 minutes of waiting (menu’s were obviously closed) the waitress took the order and asked if we needed ‘drinks’ menu which should have been handed earlier already?

If you decide to book a table at this restaurant, I’d advise you not to be already hungry before going as you’ll have to sit and wait for at least 50 minutes before being offered anything edible! No welcome drinks or bites were included like any other Michlen star restaurant.

At first, they offered us the chef’s selection of bites which were ok, however I liked the olive tree with pistachio cream stuffed olives. We ordered ricotta cardamom risotto and pecorino truffle raviolo for first courses which were good. For second courses, we ordered the butter lobster and the lamb but they were below average (I mean you’d expect a better flavor when something is immersed with butter).

For dessert, we shared orange and sorbet salad which was refreshing, however the selection of desserts was a disaster specially the lemon tart which was too zesty and tasted like soap.

Finally, the ultimate disappointment was when we ordered Grappa as digestives and it was served in COGNAC GLASSES! This has unfortunately ruined the beautiful taste and scent of Grappa where the overwhelming spiritiness took over the aroma and the beautiful taste of grappa.

The question remains as to how this restaurant got a Michelin star in the...

Amazing dinner, well deserved of the Michelin star. I have eaten at many starred restaurants around the world, and this was right up there with the best. The service was impeccable - more akin to a 2+ star establishment.

We got the seafood pre fixe menu. The scorpion fish with green beans was an amazing dish, one of the best dishes I’ve had in years. Amazing. The main lobster dish was the best lobster dish I have ever had, period. The bread service was interesting as well, the sourdough is made from a starter passed down generations the chef’s family and was delicious. The ancient grains bread was also memorable.

Definitely recommend as a stop in a Sicily trip - worth going to Catania just for this meal (we went to Mount Etna before which made us appreciate the ingredients and wine pairings more). Negroni was also on point - traditional recipe...

A beautiful Michelin star worthy dinner. We chose set menu 2, which is a well structured journey through modern takes on sicilan and other Italian cuisine. The menu and dining experience is highly refined; it is clear that much thought has gone into how each diner spends their time at Sapio. The service is excellent and the pace at which food comes to the table is just right. My only culinary suggestion is that maybe the ravioli is a little overpowering for the relatively mild Sicilian truffle leaving the taste a little out of balance, but this is being extremely picky, and in general the food is superb. The presentation and design of each dish in particular shows the impressive skill of the chef, with immaculate pastries and well crafted courses. Definitely a highlight of our...