Hotel La Piazza

Having come from a completely dysfunctional family, what a pleasure it was to to discover an exceptionally functional family: that of Fabio Pollino at Hotel La Piazza on Panarea. The people at La Piazza are truly the creme de la creme of hospitality. There is Fabio himself: a model of understated efficiency, who has imbued La Piazza with an essence of effortless elegance; it reinforces the feeling that one instinctively knows when something is right ... and it is, at all times, in this haven of hospitality. The Maitre d'hotel, Richard is blessed with a genuine desire to make his guests feel at ease by providing the most splendid service I have experienced in more than four decades of dining out. The attention to detail of this master of his craft has to be seen to be believed: nothing ... and I mean nothing at all is too much trouble for Richard. As he modestly puts it, " this is my duty, but it is also my pleasure". The chef, Gaetano Rapicavoli, is a consumate artist of the culinary craft. It hjas been said that the true test of a chef's competence is to be found in the preparation of a perfect omlette; in which case Gaetano excells beyond measure.