Bell'Assai — Restaurant in Taormina

this was the worst restaurant we had the misfortune to come across on our holiday. In the expectation that we will eat with a pleasant view of the sea, the food wasn't even worth a stupid euro. At most, you get a spit on your plate, not food. For 4 pieces of pasta (4!!!!!) you pay 18 euros. Just like that for a small scoop of tuna tartare. If you want to solve it with the staff and you want to at least hear some explanation preferably at least an apology, you will get ridiculed at the most. They told us it was our problem and we should have a margarita if we are hungry!!! And if we even knew how expensive the ingredients were. We didn't order lobster, but pasta with pistachios and tuna - what could be cheaper? Nobody cares, you're told to have a margarita and you won't be hungry. He also told me really disrespectfully that it's expensive maybe just for us and not for him. Of course, what other reaction can you expect from such a rude staff as this one? self-centered and egotistical and yet there is no reason to be. His question was if we were expecting a full plate. I say no! We just wanted to eat and not leave hungry! Again - our problem. Why do you even have the nerves to ask your customers so stupidly? There couldn't have been a bigger insult. Some customer satisfaction is secondary, because they want to be awfully classy. Despite the fact that the tuna tasted like a piece of lemon, not tartare. Thanks for the ruined evening and I don't want to see you again in my life. The funniest thing was the audacity to ask us if we would like some more coffee or dessert. You seriously have no sense! 50 euros for anger and hunger. Thanks for nothing. Don’t go there. From their output they want to play it off as nothing being their fault. Okay...

Calling Bell’Assai a “pizza restaurant” is like calling the Taj Mahal a “quaint villa”. It is far more. The menu is absolutely packed with flavorful local Sicilian dishes focused on the abundant locallly soured fruits of the sea. Giovanni is a consummate host, offering splendid conversation, local Etna-produced wine recommendations, and meal suggestions with an effortless charm. The ambience is local casual chic. The restaurant overlooks the Isla Belle bay with a wall of eastward factory windows. It is small and intimate. I felt privileged to be entreated to their kindness. For dinner we shared a plate of scallops on the shell with a delicious brown butter baked over the bite sized morsels. My wife had a sea bass special as advised by Gianni, served in an incredible broth of potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and caper berries. I enjoyed a local favorite - sea urchin linguine that is literally to die for. We also had pizza, and they have about ten pies on the menu to satisfy pizza lovers everywhere. All in all, this is the best dining experience I’ve had in Sicily as we wrap up a ten day visit that took us all over the island. More than recommend - Bell’Assai is a MUST visit for those who enjoy finer...

The bistro Bell'Assai is located right in front of Isola Bella. This bistro is a simple place but nicely done and offers stunning views of the bay. The restaurant offers a wide range of pizza (only in the evenings) and a restaurant menu for lunch. The food choice is limited, but we were surprised by the quality and taste of the food. The wine list offers a good selection of local wines at reasonable prices. As antipasti, we had "gamberi in pasta kataif" and raw "gamberi rossi di Mazara" (raw prawns from Mazara area). As the main course, we both had sesame tuna (tonno al sesamo) but asked for different cooking. The raw prawns were fresh and delicious. The cooking of the tuna fish was perfect, as per our request, and the taste was great. The service was very kind and courteous, and the prices were adequate for the quality and quantity provided. Like any of my reviews, of course, this review is being made related to the type of restaurant, the restaurant's gastronomic objective, and the overall context. But, to sum up, the bistro Bell'Assai was a pleasant and positive surprise, and I recommend it for a...