Da Franco Smile Ai Portici osteria, gastronomia, wine bar

If you visit the area, be courageous and step outside your hotel or what your guide recommended to you.....eat at the hotel.
Walk a short walk and enjoy Italian cuisine ( non-pizza) at it's best economically and enormous amount of food to share with others.

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Dinner in Italy starts after 7:30 p.m. If you want food other than pizza, we found it via Google. What a find!

There are outside or inside seatings. It's Sicily. Most places don't have AC. Outside ambient is beautiful. Quaint yet romantic. Table cloth and napkins with silverware welcomes you at every table.

Take a look at the options in the menu. Very reasonably priced for seafood and other dishes! We ordered the octopus salad for appetizer, and the risotto seafood and spaghetti mussels and clams for dinner.

Wow, we were shock with the portions. We've visited throughout Italy and have eaten in many small and metropolitan cities. I've never seen such generous large portion of appetizer, risotto and variety of seafood and almost a pound of pasta and two handfuls of mussels and three handful of clams! We filled an empty bowl with mussels and clams shells after eating every single crustaceans.

The octopus salad was nicely garnished with chunks of tender octopus, cooked chunk potatoes, cut celeries, nectarines, melons and light olive oil and vinaigrette. Huge portion!

Risotto was nicely cooked with seafood broth and garnished with two huge prawns, chunks of cuttlefish, octopus, mussels and clams. Give portions definitely to be shared with two persons or possibly more!

The spaghetti is cooked fragrantly with bulbs of garlic and olive oil and generously piled with huge amount of mussels, clams and a pound of spaghetti!! Definitely to be eaten by two persons!

The servers were extremely attentive and friendly. They came several times to make sure we're satisfied with our meal and beverage. They removed empty dishes when appropriate.

The chef, Franco, came to greet all his guests just at the end of each table's meal. He ensured his guests are satisfied with their meal. Very impressive, humble and customer oriented. Franco literally do this with all his guests!

Not only I'm impressed with the quality and quantity of good, but, I was blown away by the chef/owner's s hospitality and service.

Definitely a must if you visit this area.

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Proof that we need not go far from home for amazing food! Franco, our host, is a wonderful chef who obviously enjoys what he does. His smile and happy "buongiorno!" greeted us as we came in for lunch.

His menu is primarily Sicilian, but has dishes from other parts of Italy as well. We've been there twice now, and have been thoroughly happy both times.

His servings are large, so bring a good appetite. We will be regular customers here, and this will be our go-to restaurant for out of town guests.

We spend 6 nights in Sant Alessio and this is the only restaurant we went to eat twice. Portions are huge and tasty. Franco is amazing with the food he does. This restaurant is definetely under rated only because it's not on the waterside. You will not be dissappointed. Prices are very very good.

The best place in Sant’ Alessio Siculo. The sea food was very tasty!

The swordfish rolls and the grilled vegetables were exquisite! Additionally, the owner was super friendly and funny.

Although the kitchen was closed (siesta), they took our order and we had the most delicious calamari you could imagine. And don’t get me started with the coffee ;). Highly recommended!!

I loved this place: the food is incredible and the cook is so special and so funny! I had a mixt of seafood which was so fresh and good! also I had a tiramisu a la casa and we're offered free limoncello. and Franco is making a show each time he brings food! Incredible Sicily! I loved it !

Today we randomly find this lovely restaurant. Before found this restaurant, we had bad experience something about train. But this restaurant and the owner was amazing ! He is so kind and lovely man. Beer is good, food is good. You should definetely go there !! Thank you for all your kindness, you helped us in a desperate time , hope to see you again 😊

Excellet food and great service! The staff are very welcoming an dthey care about the customers. The food was great and good portions, one of the best in Sant Alessio Siculo!

We had such a good evening; the best in our week at Sicily! Franco is really someone that makes an effort to let you have the best experience you can have!! The food is without doubt the best we had the entire week. We didn’t ask for a menu, we just let Franco decide.. and man, did he do a good job! We had about 10 different dishes, stuffed mushrooms, peppers, cabbage, parmazzano, Sicilian macaroni, beef….. even cogniglio (look it up 🤗) all perfect!
If you are looking for a REAL Sicilian experience, take the 15 minutes drive from Taormina. I promise, you won’t regret it!

Wonderful food. Large portions. Franco is very welcoming and friendly.

Franco is great Chief with very unique personality ;) ! location very friendly , staff really nice . We had sea food and everything tasted really good . Highly reccomended !

Amazing food, very friendly staff. The chef who personally talks to the guests is an amazing expierience. Recomendations on the food were spot on. Highly recommend paying a visit!

Great, tasty food! Enormous size portions. Service very polite and helpfull! Recommend that place so much!! ❤❤❤

Franco is a terrific host. He served a wonderful dish of marinated anchovies. And did so with a smile! We'll be back!

Delicious, bellissimo
Gracies

It’s really wonderful place

Awesome restaurant!! Delicious food, reasonable priced, and Franco is the BEST! 100% recommended

Amazing place! Great food, great service, perfect dinner! The best choice in Sant'Alessio

Friendly staff and excellent food. Lovely setting for an evening meal or an al fresco lunch

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