Ristorante Il Pellicano

Il Pellicano opened in 1965, when a British aviator, Michael Graham, and his American partner turned their hideaway in a cove into a hotel. Roberto Scio bought it in 1979, and his daughter Marie-Louise Scio leads it today.

The chef, Michelino Gioia, from Campania, began his fine-dining career in this kitchen in 1998 and returned after years in leading Italian and French restaurants.

The cooking reworks Tuscan tradition with modern technique, using seasonal produce from land and sea and small local producers. The menu changes with the seasons; past tasting menus have included blue lobster, lemon risotto with langoustines, and pigeon with foie gras. The main dining room is a large veranda facing the sea.

The hotel also has a more casual grill and a beach club on the rocks below, if you want a lighter lunch during the day.

The nearest large marina is Cala Galera, just north of Porto Ercole, with berths for yachts up to about 50 metres. From there it is a drive of a few kilometres through Porto Ercole to the hotel; your crew can arrange a car, or ask the hotel whether a tender can come to its private pier.

The restaurant serves dinner only, from early April to late October. Reservations are essential, by phone or email, and the dress code is elegant but relaxed.