Set in an impressive hillside palazzo in central Taormina, La Giara is one of the city’s chicest eateries known for its be-seen dining room and late-night lounge than the actual culinary prowess of its kitchen. A long and expansive dining room faces the Mediterranean sea with distance views of Mt. Etna over an exaggerated terrace for summer dining and evening cocktails. The setting captures the true beauty of Taormina within a crowd of fashionable weekenders and Southern Italians. The main dining room is set in all white, with canvas slip covered chairs and all-white tabletops set in candlelight since 1953.
The Food
Meals begin with sizable appetizers that include a 3-way tuna tartare, terrine of foie gras with crostini and oysters by the dozen. Pasta course is the best section of the menu, with ricotta-stuffed cannelloni, gnocchi with seafood medley and ravioli stuffed with pesto and eggplant. Main course includes hefty grilled fish selections like a rolled swordfish in pomodoro sauce that’s a local staple, fillet of pork in a fruity Marsala sauce or white fish in an artichoke reduction.
Last Word
After dinner, save room in your liver for a night cap in the adjacent lounge with live music and dancing on weekends.
