At Qi Food & Focus in Acireale, don't expect the usual American-style smash burger. The menu shows a clear focus on alternative, Italian-inspired variations: the burgers here aren't just assembled, but truly cooked with an attention to detail that makes all the difference. After trying three of them, I can tell you right away that my absolute favorite is called Cesare, their carbonara-style version.
Let's get straight to the heart of the tasting: the carbonara flavor is simply insane. It literally feels like eating a textbook carbonara pasta, but in burger form. The construction is a masterpiece of culinary engineering: there's the carbocrema (a perfect emulsion of egg and pecorino), a parmesan crisp that provides the right amount of crunch, and crispy guanciale added both in chunks and as a powder for a constant savory kick. The double scottona beef smash patty serves as a juicy, meaty base that balances the richness of the toppings.
This is a very savory burger because it is the equivalent of an intense, bold carbonara, so those with more delicate palates might find it "salty".
But if you love this kind of food, believe me, it will blow your mind. For its faithfulness to the original dish and the quality of the ingredients, it deserves top marks. Highly recommended for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty with a bold, enveloping flavor.
Practical note: the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, but I always recommend checking the updated hours on Google Maps.
