Torre del Saracino — Restaurant in Vico Equense

Came here for a special dinner and was left disappointed throughout. At other michelin star restaurants I've eaten at, the food was either a take on dishes that you have had before but better, or an experiential dish that delivers carefully balanced and unique flavours. At this level of cuisine I assume its only the best ingredients cooked to perfection by a master at his craft.

Unfortunately none of that was delivered here, dishes all seemed just be 1 overwhelmingly strong flavour throughout the starters and mains. The primary flavours was either that of acid from excess citrus or an extensive fish taste which I suppose is to be expected from the menu, but doesn't require a master chef to deliver, as it doesn't matter what you serve when it's just one flavour hitting you over the head We did request less fish and more meat dishes after the starters, as we realised that it wasnt to our taste and they said in the introduction that the chef seeks to adjust the meal to our flavour profile, but unfortunately that statement was just something that's said and wasn't actually meant, as we proceeded to receive only fish courses throughout despite this request.

Starters were a mix of bitter and acidic flavours, none of which i found enjoyable, except for maybe the tuna and mango bite, which was OK. I expected the flavour profiles to be more balanced than the acidity of an entire lime in an oyster, or just a piece of fromage frais or even the standard of fish from the salmon and tuna though to be more melt in your mouth than worse quality I get for lunch in London.

The mains were then primarily flavours focused on using a strong fish flavour in a series of dishes that each disappointed more than the last including bones in a fish soup, undercooked risotto, a combination of over, under ( and a small amount cooked correctly) pasta in a pasta alphabet soup equivalent. Then finally some grilled squid that was tough with little to no flavour profile at all, which I would have expected to be smooth and tender but some of it was to the point of being basically rubber. If your an avid lover of seafood than these maybe the perfect dishes for you, but I have had comparable dishes for all of these that were better in a standard restaurant. We were also delivered some bread and breadsticks which were good but not incredible in any way. We were also provided as well as a piece of foccacia, but to my amazement this was entirely tasteless.

The deserts were by far the best course, where flavours were starting to be merged and blending across the flavours in the dish. The coffee ice-cream and brownie blended together well and the fruit and passion fruit dish had a range of flavours but overwhelmed by the acidity once again of the passion fruit.

Then finally a number of small dessert bites where provided all of which a shop bought equivalent I would have preffered and oddly seemed fresher.

Overall I don't understand how this wins awards, or is worth €200 a person. All i wanted through this meal was to be be able to say wow, that tasted incredible or have fish of a high quality that it melts in your mouth, or even unique flavour profiles but instead I got indigestion from the amount of acid consumed and potentially old seafood.

Maybe I'm not the customer that they seek to appeal too, but even when asking for a different option you are told no. Food is a universal language but if you can only make it to appeal to a minor few then are you really a master...

We have eaten at many amazing restaurants throughout the world and this restaurant was one of best places we have eaten definitely on our two week trip through Italy and Spain (BCN/Ibiza/Forementera) and one of best places we have ever eaten. The entire experience is top notch and extraordinary.

As we came off the main road and took many hairpin turns down the winding road heading to our final destination located in Marina di Equa nothing prepared us for what awaited us.

We found what looked like a fortified building/tower and as we looked around perplexed trying to see where we could parked a gentle man approached us wearing a Torre del Saracino shirt and obviously was the valet attendant and he came toward us welcomed us and kindly parked our rental car (this is a nice perk). We immediately were warmly greeted as we approached the entrance. We were taken to a beautiful corner table with magnificent views of the water and the from where one could admire Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.

What came next nothing could prepare us. Chef Gennaro Esposito is a master who brilliantly expresses the essence of his native land in every dish. Every dish is creatively presented, every dish is a masterpiece. Service was impeccable with Francesco describing every wine to us in great detail. The staff works as a seamless unit/team and all of the individuals with whom we interacted shined. Our server in particular proved warm and professional (Patricia was pleasant and warm as well).

This place is well deserving of all the accolades! Cannot wait to come back to this magnificent restaurant! This was a gastronomic memorable...

WoW what an experience! It's been a while since dining at the Quay on Sydney Harbour that we didn't have such a top class food experience and white gloves service. Unfortunately we don't eat a lot as there is a main degustation menu that you can go through, however don't get too greedy, the amount of amuse-bouches, own baked breads and the small patisserie at the end were very filling. Highlights: The Kumquat mousse on a celery brunoise (If I remember correctly) just the most refreshing and palate cleansing little thing that we ever tasted...and the Delizia...one of a kind, would come back just for that. Lowlights (Only because I want to be picky) the Genovese of palamita. Extremely tasty individual components on the plate, but missing a common denominator/bond through the dish. Gennariello Esposito the Head Chef and owner of the restaurant came out and greeted each table and saluted when living. This is a refined cuisine that might not be everyone's cup of tea. Don't come here if you are looking for a revisited Neapolitan cuisine, not at all. Even some ingredients are not even commonly used in Italian cuisine. This Chef will leave you with a unique aftertaste that makes the Torre del Saracino a 2 Michelin stars. A very unique flavor, taste, smell and sight (One of the best panoramas overlooking Neapoli bay) in the heart of Vico Equense. Grazie Gennariello for the exquisite welcoming...