Osteria San Bartolo — Restaurant in Lipari

Truly do not understand the high reviews. Food was mediocre at best. We ate at Il Carallo the night before and the food was much better. We sat on the terrace with a view of the sea. However, our experience was ruined by two young women sitting at the table next to us. Despite being informed by the confirmation we received that the place is non smoking, they smoked. In addition, they spent the entire time talking on their cell phone using the speaker. While we waited for service, the waitstaff were tripping over themselves to wait on these rude women. Our confirmation also indicated that we had the table for only two hours (we have lived in Italy for 10 years and have never seen that). These ladies were at their table before us and were still there when we left so not only did the non smoking rule not apply to them but apparently not the reservation time. To add insult to injury, not until you’re seated at look at the menu are you made aware of a 10% service charge, also something unheard of in Italy (cover charge per person is from 1 to 3 euros per person not a percentage of the bill). There’s a pescheria nearby with the same view and certainly better food and service. I will spare everyone of the details of where I spent my time all night and the following morning after eating the “fresh” local tuna. Never returning and suggest...

After reading all the amazing reviews, we booked a table at this restaurant, excited for the experience. Not sure if they had just a bad day, but we were leaving with such a great disappointment, especially when taken into consideration with the high price for meals. After being seated, we were waiting for 15-20 minutes to get menu (probably because they did not have enough copies ready). The ordering was a bit chaotic. The food arrived quite quickly after ordering and some of the items were nice, especially the pasta dishes, however, for the price paid (15-16€), the portion could be bigger. The house wine was great and served in beautiful carafas, although a bit pricier than normally (15€/liter). The main reason for my low rating is the secondi: one of our friends ordered spezzatino, however, his meal was a small portion of spezzatino which was warm on the surface and completely cold in the inside - like microwaved (and microwaved not enough). I had a walk nearby kitchen when inside (there indeed was a microwave). I think this is not acceptable in such level of dining restaurants, and left us feeling like going to tourist trap instead to a little high quality authentic restaurant. We understand that restaurant have pre-cooked the meals and they need to be reheated, but if using the microwave, at least do...

I recommend to not order the Meat course. We ordered it and it was only heated in microwave. The center of the food was cold and the surroundings hot. You can also order a green salad, but you will get only 1/5 of a regular ice salad for 5 euros. It is very overpriced restaurant with low quality. We were very disappointed. And we are not even demanding. So far the greatest disappointment during our 2-week journey through Italy.

I cannot reply on their message, so I'm adding my response here. It's true that we don't only eat in rich establishments and also in more local ones. But all of them are better than your microwave-heated food. It's obvious because you didn't deny it and thank you that you confirm that your ego is higher than your quality based on your response. Any other great restaurant would try to improve...