Category: Restaurants

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McDonalds ?

Does this look like McDonalds?

McDonalds?

I don’t see the monotonous and bland interior, nor do I see the random mystery stains on the tables or on the attached plastic chairs.

Okay I guess the Italians got it right with all the design work on the interior, but the food can’t be as good right?  I’m a somewhat embarrassed American when I say that their food is actually better… and to add insult to injury…  they serve Peroni beer!

 

 

There are a few McDonalds in the area, two of which are brand new.  The brand new McDonalds are near a couple of recently built malls that are also very nice. ( Centro Sicilia and Etnapolis)  Jess is a big fan of these malls.

I know this seems ridiculous to have a post about McDonalds of all places,  but the McDonalds here are unbelievable.  I hope that this is a trend that continues with new McDonalds back in the States.  Its a completely different experience.  With these Sicilian McDonalds I’m actually proud to say that I’ve been a McDonalds shareholder for some time.  It’s a great way for us to get a taste of being back home in America with an Italian flair.

We almost feel proud to be American when we go in and see the Italians enjoying.  It feels like our own home field in Sicily… its fun to order the food knowing that we are saying it correctly for a change.  No Francesco…  it’s not “Chess Borgor” …. its “Cheeseburger”  🙂

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Trattoria Grotta Azzurra – Enna

While walking all around Enna all day we built up a big appetite.  We started looking for a restaurant that I read about called Trattoria Grotta Azzurra.  Somehow we were lucky enough to bump right into the restaurant, but like usual… we were waaaayyy early.  7pm is usually an hour early we have found with all the restaurants.  So we walked around town a bit more and came back around for the open.  We weren’t disappointed.  It was exactly as I read.  A very quaint mom and pop restaurant with traditional Sicilian dishes.

We were talking to the owner/chef/ waiter… ha..  and he was telling us that they have been in business for just over 50 years!  .. and I have a feeling they haven’t changed very much in that time frame including the decorations.  🙂  This place reminded me of one of our favorite “hole in the wall” Italian joints back in San Diego called Volare.

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Fratelli La Bufala – Gravina

After looking at the place in Aci Trezza, we said to Mario that we were starving and he said there is a place nearby.  It was 8:00pm, which by Italian time is waayyy early for dinner.  He pulled into a nearby mall called Katane.  Now pulling into a mall for a restaurant doesn’t usually bode to well in the States so I was immediately put into skeptical mode.  Mario mentioned that they get fresh mozzarella di bufala from Naples almost everyday, which made me rethink this place in the mall.

The name of the restaurant is Fratelli La Bufala (which basically means Buffalo Brothers)

This guy is wondering if we were really coming in here right now

 

Empty! Except for the crazy Americani that want to eat early … 8pm is not early!!

 

So as you can see a very cool interior, but also very empty at this hour.  This is definitely not the type of restaurant you find in the malls back home.

We ordered some acqua frizzante and some great wine to start with our focaccia that was very good.  Next we ordered up one of the BIG and fresh mozarella di bufala balls.  They were not kidding around with the size.

Big ball of Mozzarella di Bufala

 

We literally had to carve the Mozzarella like a Thanksgiving turkey.  It was very good mixed with some balsamic vinegar (aceto balsamico), olive oil, and the focaccia.

A pic of the pizza section of the menu

 

Cornetto di Bufala – Mozzarella wrapped with pizza dough topped with prosciutto crudo and parmigiano

 

I went with the Cornetto di Bufala, which was very good.  The only downfall with this choice was that it was very similar to what we were enjoying as our appetizer with the bread and the mozzarella.  I definitely recommend this dish.

Jess and Mario ordered a couple pasta dishes that looked really good as well.  Jess’s dish used pappardelle pasta, which is one of my favorites… so naturally I had to sneak a taste and it was very tasty.  Her item was one of the chefs specials that night so I dont think it will be on the menu next time.

Overall this is definitely on our top list as of now and we will be returning.  I think what Im going to start doing is keeping a top 10 list for the local restaurants.   So right now this place is sitting number 1!

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2nd Meal in Sicily

We were getting stir crazy and ready to venture out and get a dinner out.  The big problem is our car is still making its way across the Atlantic Ocean and through the Med to us.  There are a few places across the street from the hotel that we have been warned by my Italian coworkers not to go to… but we have no options right now!! So we bit the bullet and went to a place called Medusa’s.

The first thing I want to say is that we are learning quickly not to judge a book by its cover in Italy.  If you pulled up to this place you would never make a step near it.  As soon as we braved going into the front door we found a completely different place with a vast outdoor patio and a great view of Mount Etna.

 

Caprese - Simple and Delicious
Spaghetti alla Cozze

 

Mount Etna from Medusa's Patio

 

Shaky Pic by the Waiter

Antipasti – Caprese – I dont know if it was the fact that we haven’t eaten something good in a while, but this seemed like it was the best thing we have ever tasted.  Ive seen a lot prettier caprese salads, but what it lacked in looks it made up in freshness and taste. Very simple and tasty.

Jess  – Tortellinis con Ragu – Jess was a big fan.  She proceeded to finish it all.. I had to literally steal one tortellini to try it.  She also got sauce all over here shirt..ha

Nick – Spaghetti alla Cozze – The mussels were very good.  This dish really hit the spot for what I was looking for and I also finished it all.  The fresh tomatoes in the dish were a great idea that I will definitely have to incorporate if I make this.

The house red wine was great.

Dessert – Tiramisu – This was disappointing… we were on such a roll too, but the dessert was definitely a miss.  Im not sure if they just didnt have any freshly made, but it was like a rubber hockey puck with some espresso dusting on top.

All in all a great dinner.  With the low expectations to start, it was a surprisingly good start to our Sicilian dining.  Although in the back of our minds we had a feeling that we were going to find even better food.

Im not sure if I should come up with some sort of a rating system… something cheesy like 2 thumbs up or maybe stars?  Thoughts?

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First Meal in Sicily

What time is it??  What day is it??    Im hungry .. I think…  we journeyed over to the piazza on base, where they have a food place near the movie theater.    Our first meal in Sicily!!

Play the video below and make sure your speakers are on… as you scroll down to a picture of our meal.

 

Wait for it…

 

Wait for it…

 

 

 

Tenders and Fries

 

Thats right !  100% authentic Sicilian Tenders!   I know … big disappointment, but not so bad after the plane food the past couple days.  A real Sicilian meal has to be in our near future.

 

 

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So Long Sandy Eggo

As the days are counting down things are getting crazier.  All the preparing and work we did ahead of time doesn’t seem to be helping.  I have been in serious salesman mode and Im proud to say a successful salesman.  I was able to sell Jess’s jeep, my truck, and sadly my boat.   Its nice to know I have the salesman ability to fall back on if Continue reading “So Long Sandy Eggo”

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Keeping Austin Weird

Went on trip to Austin for a long weekend for a bachelor party of a good friend… and in keeping with the rules of a bachelor party thats all I can say about that … and there will not be any pictures involved here… other than food!

We had a lot of great food this entire weekend.  From epic BBQ to savvy sushi we covered all the bases.  I mean if your going to soak up all that alcohol you might as well do it with good taste in mind right?  Unfortunately I do not have a whole lot of pictures due to the rules, but here is a list of some of the restaurants and Continue reading “Keeping Austin Weird”