St. George by Heinz Beck — Mediterranean Fine Dining, Taormina
Heinz Beck built his reputation at La Pergola in Rome — three Michelin stars, one of the most distinguished kitchens in Italian fine dining. At St. George by Heinz Beck, set within the Ashbee Hotel above Taormina with views of the Ionian Sea, Mount Etna, and the Greco-Roman theatre, he has applied the same culinary philosophy to the Mediterranean ingredient vocabulary of Sicily in a setting that is arguably even more dramatic.
The two Michelin stars at St. George reflect a kitchen that combines Beck’s signature technical precision — the light, health-conscious saucing, the extraordinary pasta work, the classical French structure applied to Italian instinct — with Sicilian ingredients of exceptional quality. The prawns from the Strait of Messina, the pistachios from Bronte, the almonds from the slopes of Etna, the swordfish from the open Mediterranean: all appear in dishes that demonstrate what a great cook does when the best possible material is placed in front of him.
The view from the Ashbee Hotel terrace is among the most celebrated in Sicily — the ancient theatre below, the Ionian Sea spreading to the horizon, Etna visible on clear evenings with its permanent plume of smoke. Dining with this view is itself an experience; that the kitchen provides an equivalent level of stimulation is the achievement that the Michelin stars recognise.
St. George is the restaurant around which a serious Taormina visit should be constructed. The hotel can arrange transportation from the hillside town to the restaurant; the full evening from arrival to departure is designed as a complete experience. Book at least four weeks ahead for summer and holiday periods.
Best Occasion: Proposal
The combination of two Michelin stars, a terrace above the Ionian Sea, the silhouette of Etna at dusk, and a kitchen producing food of extraordinary quality creates conditions for a proposal that no subsequent anniversary dinner can easily surpass. The hotel team manages the evening with the discretion and care that the occasion warrants. Contact the restaurant directly when booking to arrange details.
Best Occasion: Impress Clients
Heinz Beck’s two Michelin stars and international reputation communicate intent immediately; the Taormina setting communicates taste. Clients who know the great kitchens of Rome and Milan will understand what a dinner at St. George represents. The tasting menu format creates the conditions for an extended, impressive evening that justifies its investment.