We were walking through Baia on Easter Monday and wanted to stop for a late lunch at around 1400. Most places were closed for the holiday, and the ones that were opened were serving their Easter specials which were much too big (and pricy) for what we were looking for.
La Tortuga is by the end of the waterfront close to the Coast Guard building, there was a fair size crowd, so we asked if we could order something off the regular menu.
I ordered frittura do paranza, (which I think means local fish fry in English) with some calamari, and Christa ordered tagliatelle paglia (a wide flat tube of pasta).
The past was very hearty, with a good sauce, but there must have been some language issues with the fish. I asked the waiter it the "fried fish" was a square piece about this big (and made a square with my hands) expecting a fried fillet as you would expect in US, Canada, UK, France, etc. He said yes, but when the plate came, it was 8 complete fish about 4 inches long that were dropped in the fryer, head, scales, and all.
I don't mind a complete fish, but working around all the bones, and there were a lot of them, was a real pain and I wasn't really crazy about the taste. The calamari wasn't what I expected either. Very large pieces that did not have very much batter, not very tasty and very rubbery.
To add to this there were 3 young kids, that were in the throws of a sugar-high, and quite vigorously practicing their skill at karate; frequently repositioning themselves right up to and touching our table. Whenever their parents were in eyeshot, I gave them a knowing look, to no avail, and the staff did nothing even when almost forced to drop what they were carrying due to the action.
When we finally got up after asking for the bill, one of them finally told the kids to go sit down somewhere.
I won't write this place off after one experience, but they will have to work very hard at improving our opinion the next time we are there. read more