"We had arrived at Palermo airport at midday after an overnight flight from North America, and were en route to Erice at Sicily 's western edge. We knew we had to get off the autostrada soon if we were to find a place still open for...lunch, and Michelin suggested a few places in Castellammare del Golfo. We consider ourselves very lucky to have started our 40th anniversary re tracing of our honeymoon trip with lunch at Mirko 's. We were not taken into the restaurant, which is located along a medieval stairway leading down to the port hence the Discesa or descent in the street address): the interior dining room was taken by the families of children making their first communion in the parish church. So we sat outside, under umbrellas, and were ably attended by Federico. My bride chose a remarkable pasta dish for her primo piatto, bucatini all 'aglio, oro, e pepe that is, with olive oil, gold, and pepper) atop the astonishingly flavorful bucatini was what appeared to be gold leaf. My primo was one of chef Mirko 's house specialties, cous cous di pesce fish couscous remember, western Sicily is a short boat ride from North Africa), which was served with a delicious broth on the side. The two of us divided an exquisite tuna steak encrusted in pistachio for our secondo piatto, grilled vegetables, and a colored salad. Our wine was local and by the glass €6 each), and the espresso we required to keep us alert for the rest of our drive to Erice was very reasonably priced at €1. The food supposedly all locally sourced, and very fresh was excellent. But what also very much impressed us was that Mirko 's is very much of the community. The children, though they were the honorees of the adults ' luncheon inside, were evidently bored with the adult talk and came out to play on the steps of the Discesa, with one or two adults to supervise them. We were charmed. And we delighted in Federico 's conversation, even as we resisted the temptations for desserts he set before us. We congratulated ourselves on discovering Mirko 's for the rest of the drive to our destination."
