Barcollo Ortigia — Restaurant in Syracuse

Why is there no star for drinks? The bar is beautifully decorated but was nearly empty. We discovered why. We ordered a G&T and a daiquiri on our way back to our apartment across the road. We asked if we could choose the gin but no was the answer. It arrived in a Malfi glass so fine we thought. From the menu, in the subdued lighting, it looked as if the G&T was €10 and the daiquiri slightly more. On receipt of the bill we were astounded to find the total to be €85 for 2 drinks. When we queried this we were shown the menu again and if held up to a light, you could just about see a faded 4 but still looking more like a 1. The manager said it wasn’t Malfi gin, just in a Malfi glass. Who puts expensive gin in a glass of regular priced gin? Our mistake for not shining a light on the menu but wanted to alert others to be more vigilant. We will not be going back, although, ironically, we would probably have called in most nights on our way home and spent a similar amount over the week. It’s not the price I object to. It’s the lack of clarity. If clear we would have decided not to stay. The choice was taken...

Beautiful courtyard and drinks/food was good, but service is lacking experience. I clearly stated that I’m vegetarian and asked if it’s possible to have the aperitivo veg. The waitress said yes no problem. They then serve a board and a pasta. Started eating the pasta but then got suspicious when I noticed 60% of the things on the board had ham inside. I asked and turned out so did the pasta. I sent it back and asked why she didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t have order something where the only thing I can eat is a tiny pizza slice and bruschetta. They then asked if there’s anything I would like from the menu instead and pointed to a veg sandwich option. I said sure and it was very good. When the bill came they charged for everything. I had thought that the replacement for my pasta wouldn’t be charged for, I asked and then she seemed annoyed and just charged fully for the sandwich and the drink (which I took because it was an offer together with the aperitivo). But well,...

Avoid it. The place is nice, inside an old palace, that’s why we came there. They only serve drinks and some little food. We ordered so bruschette that were really average and 2 cocktails that were just undrinkable (Very salty and spicy, very bad balance). We told the waiter that we couldn’t drink them and ordered some wine (that was good). At the end we saw that they charged the cocktails (20€..) so I told them they were really bad and if they could not charge them because we didn’t drink them. But they just gave 5€ discount and said we should have told them before... (before what ?). Anyway, just a touristic and pretentious place in the city center that looks pretty but unfortunately doesn’t know anything about quality food...