Italian cuisine has long been feted for its exquisite flavours. However, there are many nuances to the food of Italy, depending on the region from which it comes. Catania in Sicily offers visitors a whole new experience for their palates and visitors to that region must not miss out on sampling the delicious fare that is on offer there.
There is the Osteria I Tre Bicchieri, a fine dining restaurant located a few minutes away from the cathedral in Catania. A truly wonderful culinary experience, the restaurant has tied up with a reputed Sicilian wine merchant to supplement their excellent fare with the right wines.
In the same building, there is another place with a more rustic, country style cuisine. The food in Cantina is simple yet delicious. However the real treasure in this particular restaurant is the rooms slightly beyond the Cantina. Here, the setting is opulent with high ceilings and lavish interiors. The food, prepared by the head chef, Carmine Laquinangelo, is beyond comparison is a guaranteed delight to the taste buds.
Another famous Catania restaurant is the dining room of the Excelsior Grand Hotel which was revamped in 2001. Le Zagare is an elegant dining space with flowering plants and candles serving to provide a delicate backdrop to the exquisite cuisine. The scorpion fish and lobster preparations are highly recommended.
To fulfil the cravings for Catanis style seafood, a restaurant that must be visited is the Osteria Antica Marina. Here a patron merely indicates which item of seafood he would like to have and it is then cooked and served. Another notable place for seafood is the Al Molino, on Via Molino. The fare is mostly fresh fish cooked in a variety of ways. This place is a big favourite with the locals, as the atmosphere is lively.
Italy would not be the same without pizza. All'Antica Osteria is a charming pizzeria, with a menu filled with Italian mouth watering delights. The maccheroni is homemade and served with cream pesto, and one must also try the Stocco, a white fish dish made with a mixture of vegetables and pine nuts.
For those looking for absolute authenticity in their cuisines, Il Canile satisfies on both the Continental and the Sicilian front. Situated in the Villa del Bosco hotel, Catania, the risottini with mushrooms is a one-of-a-kind meal, especially when ordered with seafood pasta.
Perhaps the best way to discover new tastes and flavours in a foreign country is to follow in the footsteps of the locals. Italians are very particular about their food, and mostly have unerring judgment when it comes to ordering what they like.
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Catania B&Bs and Italy holiday rentals.
