The shores of splendid Sicily never cease to amaze us and when we came across Castellammare del Golfo we were stupefied. This hidden gem, which overlooks the sea, stands on the slopes of a small mountain range and welcomes us like a hug, between its Castello a Mare and the renowned seaside resorts.
To discover the flavors of this corner of Sicily we booked a table at Addakuosa Mare, a spectacular restaurant run by its chef Luciano Di Marco.
After his experience at MasterChef, Luciano did not simply open a restaurant, but took 2 and a half years to find the right place on the sea that really made his heart beat, to build something not only for himself but for his daughters too.
The result is Addakuosa ("to that thing" in Sicilian dialect) Mare that embodies the chef’s passion for his land, who is familiar with the genuine ingredients of Sicily and knows how to use them wisely and respectfully.
We can see right from the beginning that this is not a usual restaurant. The furnishings, mise en place and the attention to details give away the elegance of its style and platings.
The chef and owner explains to us that Addakuosa undergoes a transformation during the night, from a seaside venue to a chic fine-food restaurant seating only 40 guests upon reservation. It is important to focus on the ingredients chosen on the same day and the guests who embark on an unparalleled gastronomy tour through the flavors of Sicily.
The title of the best dish is shared by the two stars on the menu: Spatolata Beccafico, the chef's masterpiece at MasterChef, and Volcano, a splendid portrait of Mount Etna composed of fresh cuttlefish ink spaghettoni and a sublime lava flow made from freshly caught local sea urchins.
The dessert has equal level of local details and focus. Although ricotta cream is a must for Sicilian desserts, Addakuosa will only serve it at its best during the grazing months until June, offering citrus mousse and granitas accompanied by seasonal summer fruit.
These fantastic dishes are meticulously paired with a selection of labels supplied strictly by local winemakers.
The diamond on the crown is our San Benedetto Millennium Water, pure water containing less than 0.0001% of nitrates, from an ancient aquifer and bottled in different elegant formats.
This gastronomy experience in Castellammare del Golfo let us discover the authenticity of the Sicily region guided by a talented chef’s love for the local ingredients.
Addakuosa Mare, Castellamare del Golfo (TP)
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