Casa Niclodi — Restaurant in Taormina

This place was very lovely but they are clearly more busy than they can handle and the service was, sorry to say, terrible. They totally forgot our order, and after 1.5 hours (the last 30 minutes of which we asked multiple times about our food), the table next to us who had just arrived got their food. At that point I asked for the owner, who had previously been very kind and chatty. He totally avoided our table and sent a waiter to tell us our order had been forgotten. I understand that these things happen. However nobody apologized, the owner avoided our whole section and did not apologize, and nothing was offered, nothing was comped (not a glass of wine or a dessert). The restaurant certainly has some maturing to do in terms of fixing its mistakes. In the end we spent 3 hours of our short holiday feeling ignored and ill taken care of. We were also not the only table to complain. The food was great, the setting was lovely, but the people running the restaurant have no idea what they are doing...

To be honest evening peaked when we sat down. The garden has a great ambiance and sets the perfect atmosphere at night. However, the food is a average to be kind. The food overall was bland and everything needed extra seasoning. The gnocchi was tasty and the only dish worth raving about. The lamb was cooked well but had no flavour, unfortunately I’ve had better frozen pizzas from the supermarket and the clam spaghetti was just full of empty shells.

The service was friendly, entertaining and very generous with the wine. But unfortunately also peaks as you order, as simple routine service of topping up wine and water is not even a thought that crosses the waiters mind.

Finally, the small details are also missed such as providing limoncello shots at the end of the night on paying the bill.

Overall would...

I don't know where to start. First of all, the atmosphere hit you at the entrance it self. Cozy and typical Italian restaurant. The decoration is simple, but have the spirit even in the smallest detail. Then the wine list made me impression. A lot of choice, 90% Sicilian! And whatever you choose, you will not make a mistake. The food... oooh the food was perfect in every detail. We 'va tried the cold cuts and cheese platter, linguine with gamberi, risotto with prawns and deserts. Mamma mia the deserts were from another dimension. The panna cotta for my wife was perfect, but the melon and macaroons dessert I've tried send me to heaven for a minute. The whole staff was very kind and supportive all the time. They knew what we need in any moment. Definitely recommend this place. And definitely will...