Ca' Taborka - Calasetta

This restaurant overlooks Calasetta's main road, with a holiday atmosphere, a pleasant buzz of customers, and attentive yet very friendly and approachable staff... read more This restaurant overlooks Calasetta's main road, with a holiday atmosphere, a pleasant buzz of customers, and attentive yet very friendly and approachable staff, who served us professionally and quickly despite the busy schedule. We had a very good meal, obviously seafood-focused, though perhaps a bit pricey for the type and portions. Definitely one of the best we've had this summer.

Abysmal service. And I certainly wasn’t the only one to be at the receiving end. Waited forever to even get recognised while there where lot’s of free tables, s... read more Abysmal service. And I certainly wasn’t the only one to be at the receiving end. Waited forever to even get recognised while there where lot’s of free tables, still with the mess on of previous customers. As if it’s too much to clean a table after your guests left, if you actually want it to be ready for another seating. It looked like the issue was the man who seemed to be in in charge, I presume the owner, who was the one to exclusively take orders once you sat down, you know, in charge. Service was so hectic but also very slow, it was painful to witness, constant running around of staff, unnecessary and it all still took forever, utter chaos and at one point two of the staff even ran into each other, things got dropped and the mess needed cleaning up. I also didn’t like the bosses soaking wet shirt. You know when you think, please don’t come too close to me. It’s unprofessional, perhaps OK in a cheap osteria but not here at €40 plus a head. So to the food. Well, considering it’s upmarket prices, it didn’t quite materialise to deliver. Trying to be a bit posh but failing, not good. Octopus starter for €16, very poor, chewy, small portion and diluted with potatoes. looked ok but... I had octopus salad all over italy, in general way better and cheaper. Spaghetti vongole, well, very mediocre. Again €16. Other places with way better food have an open house wine, here you pay €4 for a glass. is it any better, no. I don’t mind paying extra but I want something in return, this didn’t happen here. I would not go back. kitchen nightmares. Needs sorting out.

We arrived here for lunch and conspicuously found ourselves the only people in the restaurant. It was a Tuesday and not many places were open. We spoke to the w... read more We arrived here for lunch and conspicuously found ourselves the only people in the restaurant. It was a Tuesday and not many places were open. We spoke to the waiter and asked for his recommendations and he advised us to have the antipasti of fresh fish. This consisted of 7 small plates. 1 of these dishes was good fried white fish , there were two tuna dishes and one anchovy dish which were so over salted , clearly to preserve them!! The sea snails were full of grit but the worst were the mussels... they were covered in cheese but I could clearly taste that they were off! None of the dishes were fresh and we realised then why we were the only guests they had! Avoid at all costs.

I’ve been coming to Calasetta for the past 11 years every summer. The food is hands down the best seafood I have ever tasted. I know everyone goes to carloforte... read more I’ve been coming to Calasetta for the past 11 years every summer. The food is hands down the best seafood I have ever tasted. I know everyone goes to carloforte for the tuna fish but I know good tuna when I eat it and this restaurant gives you the best part of the tuna and gobs of it in the appetizer. Ca’taborka wins hands down to the fish I ate at al tonno di corsa in carloforte. I also like da Niccolò at carloforte but this gem in calasetta has a much better price point for the same if not better fish than the Michelin rated one. Their appetizers that are a must haves are the gianchetti which are little fried up fish. Octopus salad insalata di polipo) tris crudite is you like raw fish and shrimp, caponata di tonno which is boiled tuna with tomatoes, olive oil, crackers which is amazing! Their zuppa di cozze or mussels in wine soup is the best. Freshness and cooked to perfection is number one on my list and this place exceeds it. First dishes that I love are the pilau small round pasta with seafood mixed sauce), lobster ravioli, spaghetti with vongole. Spaghetti with red shrimp and red sauce which is to die for you have to suck on the heads of the shrimp if you don’t you are not doing this fish any justice. I never touched it before and my husband then boyfriend) told me on our first time there to suck on the inside of the head of the shrimp I thought that was gross! Shrimp brains! But can I just tell you it is seriously the best part and my kids now fight me for them when I get the pasta dish. Seconds dishes I always get the fried Mixed fish calamari shrimp and small local fish) the shrimp head in this dish is ok. But I eat the whole thing anyway. The calamari is really really good. The fish all of it) is so fresh it doesn’t matter if you don’t know the fish just trust me when I say it is really expertly cooked with an amazing taste to match. I usually order precisely my meal but for the fish I let them make the choice on how to prepare my dish. So worth it! Finally desserts that I love is the sebadas which is fried ravioli with a lot of honey on top. They also make mirto home made and ice cream yum but ice cream is always better at penguino like that pace Go once if you can do it but it’s best if u go twice to try the dishes u missed. Afterwards I suggest penguino for a amazing gelato! Hope this review helpful

Awful service! We were three diners. One of our meals arrived, other dishes followed half an hour later. When we complained, staff were rude and argumentative.... read more Awful service! We were three diners. One of our meals arrived, other dishes followed half an hour later. When we complained, staff were rude and argumentative. Never again!