"Just a very short distance down the road of the One Hundred Horse Chestnut Tree in Sant Alfio we found Sicilia Nostra, where we can sit and also have our car within our sight. If you can find the tree, you will be able to find this restaurant – I don’t remember any signs for it! And if you visit the tree, you must come here to enjoy the ambiance and food of Giovanni and the Sicilia Nostra Trattoria to eat on the patio with the energy of the tree nearby and the flowering plants. Giovannni had graciously greeted us as if he were welcoming him into his home. He offered us a pitcher of water from the local area – and I can’t say I have tasted better water in a very long time. Giovanni suggested the house vegetarian antipasta to get started and it was delicious – grilled eggplant, olives, green beans, mushrooms, red peppers, tomato with breading, egg and green local vegetables, eggplant carbonata. Yum! Giovanni then suggest a typical pasta for us – which was a tomato sauce, different from what we’ve had in Sicily – more pureed, with eggplant cubes – and pasta in the shape of an elongated shell. Giovanni then suggested a meat dish – we groaned! We’d love to, but we are full! We passed on dessert as well, but he insisted on fresh cherries that were a deep maroon and just perfect ripeness for eating. After over 1.5 hours, eating and chatting – we groaned again as we stood up to leave. What a great place! Giovanni wished us well and suggested we come back. My face must have spoken something like – we won’t be back – as Giovanni said “never say never” and told us about two couples from Norway that came back last week after ten years! Okay – I must remember – “never say never”. And I must remember to recommend this very special place."
