Porta Pantalica - CASSARO

Porta Pantalica is outstanding. Daniela and Paolo were incredibly welcoming and their food and wine was delicious. Not only do they make their own pasta and bread, but they make the flour as well. Plus the wine, cheese, jam, etc. Walking in the Pantalica park (only 5 mins away by car) is amazing. Here's some practical info: It's easy to find: just take the road from Ferla to Pantalica, it's well sign posted It's on a proper road, not a rough track so no problem if you have a regular car and not a 4x4 Daniela and Paolo don't speak much English, and we don't speak much Italian. But we got along just fine they are super friendly. To be fair, the accommodation is a little basic but it's en suite, clean and comfortable, and in a beautiful spot. We only stayed for one night, but I wish it had been longer.

I just happened by this amazing restaurant after visiting the Necropolis Pantalica. There is a little info booth by the park and the gentleman who was running it pointed me in there direction (he actually drove with me as my Italian and his English were not that good). I walked in to find a completely full restaurant full of families obviously out for Sunday lunch. Still they found a little table for me out back. It was a set menu and I was not that hungry but they brought me the appetizer and from what I could gather from my limited italian, if that was all I wanted, that would be fine. After plowing through the assorted olives, cheeses, sausage, squash, zucchini, sun dried tomatoes and homemade bread I had to try the pasta. Everything was amazing. Imagine my surprise to find out that everything including the wine and olive oil was made in site. Probably the best meal I had in Sicily and completely by chance! Bellisimo!!!!

We stopped for lunch aprehensively and late1430, Salvatore and his sister Daniela, welcomed us warmly. We hardly speak Italian, they a bit better English but communication was easy and fun. After consuming a hearty meal, anti-pasta and pasta, fruit, cheese , coffee and a bottle of superb red, everything produced on their farm, we loved the ambience and charm so we asked to stay the night. Bedroom simple, but large and clean en suite shower and loo. Lovely dinner again all home produced plus more wine, served by eight year old sweetie Letitia. Breakfast all real food and lovely. The whole bill was EU 140 for the two of us. Stupendous value. Genuine delightful people, near one of the worlds most incredible 3000 year old necropolis in fantastic National park, scenery and flora to die for. You must go there, it is sublime and you'll find us there again. Can't wait.

On my recent culinary tour of Sicily, my tour group and I visited Porta Pantalica for a ricotta and pasta making demonstration? This adventure was truly authentic culminating with a delicious 4 course lunch. Paolo's passion for Sicilan cuisine, his wife Daniela's beautiful smile and generous hospitality together with his brother in law Salvatore's charasmatic singing voice offered us a true Sicilian experience. We were made to feel like family. It was hard to leave! Paolo is an artisan of cheese making and much more. Ernesto the chef, Daniela and their kitchen staff work we'll together creating some of the best food we sampled on the tour. Language is no barrier here, half the magic and beauty is feeling like you have been transported back in time. It's simply, Sicily.

My girlfriend and I spent a very enjoyable weekend at Porta Pantalica which is a working farm with 4 or 5 guest rooms and a family run dinning room restaurant. It is right on the edge of the Pantalica national park and about 5-10 minutes drive from the nearest town (Ferla). The rooms were functional but also large, cool, clean and well kept. The owners were incredibly welcoming and friendly. The food in the evenings was very good (if a little pricey) and, despite it's isolated location, clearly attracted parties of local Sicilians with something to celebrate. Much of the food (and the wine) had been produced on the farm and the proprietors are clearly very proud of this. Be prepared for multiple courses. We ate so much one evening we could barely walk. The other real strength of this place is it's location. It is actually in the national park and a perfect spot to embark on a day's walking. Following the old railway line down the valley proved spectacular and there was barely another person to be seen (it was late May). We went for a swim in the river and explored some of the many necropoli carved into the limestone. Overall a lovely spot for a bit of peace and quiet and some authentic local cooking.