Acqua Pazza

• Multi-Terraced Layout with Dual Functionality
  Acqua Pazza is uniquely arranged on five terraces overlooking the sea and the Bourbon port of Ponza. Two terraces serve as the Michelin-starred restaurant, while the other three function as a cocktail bar offering various fish-based appetizers from 7 pm to 11 pm, continuing late with a DJ set. This blend of fine dining and lively bar atmosphere is unconventional for a Michelin-starred venue.

• Origin of the Name and Signature Dish
  The restaurant is named after the traditional Italian dish acqua pazza ("crazy water"), a lightly herbed broth made of fresh tomatoes, olives, and capers used to poach white fish. This recipe was created at Acqua Pazza itself, making the restaurant the birthplace of this iconic dish, which celebrates the island’s produce in an imaginative way.

• Unfussy Seafood Focus with Spectacular Views
  Unlike many Michelin-starred restaurants that emphasize complex presentations, Acqua Pazza focuses almost exclusively on fish and seafood served in simple, unfussy dishes that highlight the quality of the ingredients. This culinary approach is paired with arguably one of the most spectacular views in Italy, overlooking the semicircular port and extending out to nearby islands, creating a dining experience where scenery and food equally take center stage.

The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred Acqua Pazza in Ponza are:

• Fresh local fish and seafood: The cuisine focuses almost exclusively on fish and seafood, showcasing the island's rich marine bounty in simple, unfussy preparations that highlight the natural flavors.

• Tomatoes: Used in the signature "acqua pazza" dish, a lightly herbed broth made of fresh tomatoes, olives, and capers, in which white fish is poached. This preparation is so iconic that the restaurant takes its name from it.

• Olives and capers: Integral to the "acqua pazza" broth, these ingredients contribute a distinctive Mediterranean flavor and are emblematic of the local produce celebrated by the chef.

These ingredients are significant as they represent the essence of Ponza’s culinary tradition—fresh, locally sourced, and simply prepared to let the quality shine through, especially in the signature fish poached in the "crazy water" broth that defines the restaurant's identity.