Porta Pantalica - CASSARO

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.

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.

Delicious menu. Definitely recommended. You can taste and eat the menu (all included) with many ingredients from own garden and homemade products prepared with love from the heart by Sebastiano.

This place is a little gem. The surrounding countryside is beautiful. The welcome we received was the best in Sicily. Sebastiano the chef was so friendly and helpful. He spoke very good English, which whilst we should not expect people to speak our language, was a great asset in understanding his wonderful menu. Food cooked simply and with love . We stayed for 2 nights rather than 1, in fact we didn 't want to leave. Thank you for making us so welcome and giving us a very special taste of Sicily Sarah Aubrey(Galles)