Al Ciliegio

5 minutes into the country on the road from Salemi to Vita one finds the quaint rural Sicilian restaurant "Al Ciliegio". Coming from Salemi to Vita look for the brown sign on your right, turn down the road and immediately on your left is parking. The sicilian restaurant is set amongst vineyards, olive trees and offers a relaxing atmosphere. Open lunch and dinner from Thursday to Sunday inclusive. It opened at the beginning of the year and is managed by a sicilian religious charity the Foundation of San Vito Onlus and located on land and property repossessed from the mafia in Sicily.

Lucie Bongiorno the manageress welcomes you with traditional homemade sicilian coooking. There are only 26 covers so make sure you book in advance if there is a large group of you. see Al Ciliegio

We turned up at 13:30 without booking and were more than made welcome. We ordered cold meat starters with olives, cheese, aubergines and artichokes. A local salemi red wine Nero d'avola by the winery Gondolfo and bottled water. We skipped the homemade pasta dishes and went straight to the main course ordering rolled veal stuffed with flavoured breadcrumbs all cooked in a rich tomaotoe sauce accompagnied by a large mixed salad. Coffee and the local digestive "amaro monte polizzo". Total bill for two 38 euros. Very reasonable, good quality and friendly atmosphere, though missing some traditional furniture and decorations for a country sicilian farmhouse.

House specialities include :

Gnocculi cavati con ragu di salsiccia, funghi, finocchietto e melanzane. : Small pasta shells with sausage mince, mushrooms, fennel and aubergines.

Busiati al sugo di agnello o costrato :  Handmade pasta (see Sagra della Busiata) with lamb sauce.

Grigliata di carne miste : Mixed grilled meats

Involtino di vitello con melanzane e  basilico. : Rolled veal with aubergines and basil.

Al Ciliegio. Ctd Fiumelungo 179/A, Salemi. (off the SS188a road) Tel 346.4749855 book at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.alciliegiosalemi.it