The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023:

There is one place on this island where I feel all these elements come together. At Tartarun, every occasion irrespective of whether it’s my daughters’ birthday, a Sunday lunch or a business dinner, I am never disappointed in the combination of good food, good service and great ambience it offers.

And it does so in a simple way focussing on fish. Good fish. Cooked and presented by James and his brigade in the kitchen in a way that highlights the exceptional taste of a grouper, of a red snapper, of a prawn or an oyster. A genuine taste complemented by that additional kick of “buffalo sauce”, of Tom Yum, of miso sauce, of chilled ginger dashi, of green “yuzu kosho” or nori butter. No added flavour is too little or too much. Every flavour fits perfectly well with the main ingredient - fish. Every flavour is there for a purpose - to exalt the beauty of what our seas have to offer. No wonder why many food critics consider Tartarun as one of the best, if not the best fish restaurant on the island.

And what keeps on amazing me, every time I dine there is the ability of the Schiavone’s to offer consistency in their food and service. A service so attentive to detail. A service offered always with a smile. A signature smile you will always come across by both Stephen, his mother and the rest of the team. A smile which impressively never fades away no matter how busy the place is. A smile which remains consistent during weekdays and weekends. Above all, a smile that quickly makes you feel at home. That quickly makes you feel at ease. A smile that quickly makes you realize why this place is always busy with local and foreign customers.

Tartarun is a true culinary gem which keeps on amazing me how a good carpaccio, a good selection of fish snacks, or a fish of the day makes such a difference in my mood. A little gem which I feel merits more credit and acknowledgement for what it has to offer, for what it delivers without overdoing it.