Niscemi, the beating heart of the province of Caltanissetta, welcomes us with its authentic atmosphere, where the sun and Sicilian tradition meet in an unspoilt landscape. It is here, in the heart of this land that smells of history and nature, that the Feudi del Pisciotto Wine Resort offers us a food and wine experience that celebrates the best of what Sicily has to offer.
Within the walls of a skilfully restored ancient palmento lies our taste destination: the Il Palmento restaurant of Feudi del Pisciotto.
The refined and cosy interior respects the historical identity of the place: stone vaults, natural materials and meticulous details that blend in a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. The large windows offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding vineyards, creating an atmosphere suspended in time, ideal for letting oneself be captivated by the gastronomic experience that awaits us.
We are welcomed by the food&beverage executive chef, Giuseppe Costantino, and resident chef Luca Assiso, who tell us how the restaurant was added to the resort in 2017, located below the rooms, annexed to the wine cellar and housed in the extraordinary stone architecture of one of the oldest and largest bagli (beams) in the area.
The idea of the restaurant within the Feudi del Pisciotto resort is clear and ambitious: to offer a cuisine that matches the level of excellence of the resort itself. The gastronomic proposal is rooted in the Mediterranean tradition, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and linked to the Sicilian territory.
We are therefore preparing to enjoy a unique lunch, designed with an approach that enhances the authentic flavours of the island, enriching them with a contemporary touch.
We begin with the fillet of veal tenderloin from Etna, smoked to enhance its delicate and enveloping flavour, accompanied by fresh salads.
This first course celebrates the authentic flavours of the Mediterranean. The tubetti di pasta are wrapped in a tasty velvety sauce, accompanied by cicale di mare and mussels, enriched with homegrown beans that give it a creamy texture and genuine flavour.
Next, we are enraptured by a tender beef cheek, cooked to perfection. The meat meets the aromatic richness of the truffled potato, perfect for enveloping the palate with earthy, intense notes. Completing the dish is the crispy spinach, which adds a pleasant freshness and contrast of textures.
We round off our meal with the perfect dessert, Il funghetto.
This dessert, structured to resemble a mushroom, is composed of hazelnut bavarian cream, soft and velvety, enriched with the crunch of cream puffs, for a light and mouth-watering texture. The crunchy crust and small crumble add a contrasting dimension.
The wine list at the Feudi del Pisciotto resort restaurant offers a unique wine experience, highlighting the excellence of the winery's wine production. But guests can still enjoy a variety of labels from around the world, totalling some 150 selections.
For the water, Il Palmento di Feudi del Pisciotto, has chosen San Benedetto Millennium Water, appreciated for its extraordinary purity, deriving from a thousand-year-old aquifer and a nitrate content reduced to 0.0001%.
Its lightness accompanies the flavours of the dishes, while the glass format lends a touch of refinement to the table, harmonising perfectly with the vision of prestige that characterises both the restaurant and the resort.
We leave Il Palmento di Feudi del Pisciotto with the taste still alive in the dishes, which told us stories of a land rich in traditions and a cuisine that knows how to look to the future without forgetting its roots. It was a journey that goes beyond the palate, an experience that will remain in our memories and that celebrates the timeless beauty of Sicily.
