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Dining in Europe > Palermo
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in Italy > Palermo
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The Sicilian culinary tradition is saturated with fragrant products,
flavours that are the right mix between the sea and the land, just like
the geographic make up of the island. Sicily was conquered and
influenced by many different races and this can be seen in the large
number of dishes (full of spices, various aromas and produce) that are
found here. All the many conquering people have left their indelible
artistic signs on the city, and have deeply influenced the countryside
with their cultivation, leaving traces of themselves in the customs and
ways of life that can be seen in our cuisine, especially in the sweets
and desserts, known throughout the world eg cannoli and cassata. The
importance of such 'humble' ingredients above all greens and vegetables,
but also fish, are seen in the famous dishes based on sardines, grain,
aubergines (eggplant), potatoes and swordfish.
There are many restaurants and inns situated close to the sea and
their main dishes are ones that are based on seafood such as the
extraordinary spaghetti alle vongole (clams) or with mussels, ricci,
grilled fish and seafood. Places such as Al Gabbiano, La Barcaccia, Da
Totuccio in Mondello and Il Delfino, L'Ancora and Le Tre Lampare in
Sferracavallo will offer you the delights of the sea. In traditional
restaurants in the city, you can definitely try typical recipes at the
following places: Ai Vecchietti di Minchiapititto close to Teatro
Politeama, Al Pagliaio, Casa del Brodo, Cotto a Legna, Macco, Villa
Giuditta and Villa Virginia, and 'locali' of a certain standard class,
such as Il Crudo e il Cotto and La Fenice in the splendid Piazza Marina.
A particular mention should be made of the eateries where it is possible
to choose an exclusively vegetarian menu, such as Il Giardino dei
Melograni, Il Mirto e la Rosa and Tulìp.
Those who would like to try a little haute cuisine, (paying prices
that are 'haute' too!) should opt for one of the elegant restaurants
such as the Charleston in Mondello, Lo Scalino del Cardinale and
Gourmands in Via Libertà. There are also restaurants in several of the
citys refined hotels, such as Villa Igiea and the Astoria Palace Hotel.
There are now several restaurants in the city where diners can try a
little ethnic cuisine: Tunisian food at Mensa del Popolo and Al Duar;
Chinese food at Shangai and Hong Fu; Indian at Indian House; Brazilian
at Birimbao; Greek and Spanish at Medit and French food at La Brasserie.
If you want to eat well, without spending lots, there are many
pizzerias, all with wood fuelled ovens, both in the city and in the
province. You can also try a wide variety of antipasti made from
traditional ingredients, our national dish in all flavours and shapes
available. Value for money, speed, as well the courtesy of the staff
mean that the pizzerias are very popular with people at the weekend, so
that large groups should book in advance. The most famous pizzerias,
(famous for its ingredients as well as the skill of its pizza makers)
are: Pizzeria Bellini close to the theatre of the same name, the New
Express Garden adjacent to the Crazy Bull pub, the Pizzeria Italia close
to Teatro Massimo, La Bracieria, U Strascinu, Kursaal, La Carbonella, La
Staffa, Naif and La Cascina, on Viale Regina Margherita, which links
Palermo and Mondello, Villa Pensabene, situated in a rustic farmhouse
near to the Velodromo Borsellino and the Baia dei Fenici in Santa
Flavia.
There are some specialities which deserve a mention: these delights
are simple but tasty, good value for money and wonderfully satisfying,
just right for a snack or for a meal with a difference: focacce, or
rolls flavoured with spleen and bulls lungs fried in pigs lard, which
you can try at Antica Focacceria di San Francesco.Panelle, fried
rectangles of chickpea flour of Arabic origin and arancini with meat or
with butter, can be tried at Bar Alba, or at Bar Touring, situated in
front of Villa Giulia.
Entertainment in Palermo
An uninterrupted season
The variety and the quality of theatrical and cinema offerings are
without doubt the strong points of the winter events in Palermo. There
is also a splendid summer programme called 'Palermo di Scena', which
offers films and plays as well as nature and photography exhibitions,
and concerts (both classical and non), all of which are hosted in some
of the most beautiful, ancient villas in Palermo, such as Villa Trabia,
Villa Filippina and Villa Lampedusa.
Theatre
The theatrical tradition in Palermo has always been very rich and
diverse, a mixture of Arabic, Norman, French and Spanish cultures.
Street theatre that is performed today, such as the typical vastasata,
still reflects Sicilian cabaret and folklore, while the Teatro dei Pupi
(puppet theatre) remains faithful to its ancient roots. The theatre
scene is varied in summer and winter, and the programmes offered by
Teatro Massimo and Teatro Politeama stand out amongs the rest, these
being the two main theatres in the Sicilian capital.
Opera
Teatro Massimo, has recently returned to its ancient splendour, it
is certainly the temple of opera and ballet because it has the largest
stage in the world. Inaugurated in 1897, it is one of the grandest
theatres in Europe and plays host to the most important operas and the
most prestigious names in the opera world. The Teatro Politeama
(separated from Teatro Massimo by the Via Ruggero Settimo located in the
heart of the centre), took over from the Massimo during its restoration
and today hosts a rich programme of operas and concerts. The Teatro di
Verdura is also a theatre worth visiting.
Classical music and symphonies
Teatro Golden specializes in symphonies and chamber music, and
offers a season of concerts, including superb choral programmes. Many
important musical companies perform optimum concerts here. The 'Friends
of Music' and the E. A Sicilian Symphonic Orchestra offer splendid
symphonic seasons as well as chamber music seasons, while 'Brass Group'
specializes in jazz music and popular tunes. Prestigious musical
societies offer a varied and renowned concert season.
Prosa
Teatro Biondo offers a season glowing with great performances and
shows, from October to June, this is seen as the most important theatre
for 'prosa' in Palermo. Other theatres such as Teatro Al Massimo, Teatro
Crystal and Teatro Don Orione, offer exciting programmes (the latter
specializes in cabaret). We have already mentioned Teatro dei Pupi, and
there are other theatres that offer plays in dialect or depicting
ancient folklore, who have performances mainly during the summer eg
Teatro Tenda Vito Zappalà and you can catch experimental theatre/
modern dance from Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa, can be seen in the
vicinity of the splendid castle and at Teatro Libero.
Cinema
Some of Palermos most important cinemas have been restored in recent
years, these include: the Imperia and Finocchiaro, which was a rather
run down place offering second showings. Now, Palermo has over 20
screens showing new releases, and its cinematographic programme can now
be defined as complete and satisfactory, even it does not have any
multiplexes. Cinemas worth a mention are: Fiamma, Astoria Rouge et Noir,
the Metropolitan and Tiffany, large cinemas with lots of seats, with
great sound systems and excellent screens, there is also the Aurora,
which also shows prestigious and popular art house films.
Palermo by night
It is important for people who work during the week to be able to
have a great deal of choice during their 'days of freedom', picking
anything from the most tranquil of activities to the wildest nights of
fun, so that all their demands can be satisfied. Palermo has a large
number of 'locali' (nightspots), which can be found throughout the city.
Cafés
If you want a quiet, yet cheerful evening sipping a drink or a
coffee with your friends, enjoying the background music, there are
plenty of places to choose from, some of which are really traditional.
The majority of the cafés are located in the historical center. The
Caffè d'Oriente and Caffè Turco are two places that are famous for
their Arabic drinks, while theCaffè Antico and Caffè del Cassaro are
renowned for traditional Sicilian beverages. The New Orleans Café is
also worth trying.
Pubs and Beer-houses and Live Music
As in all the other cities, in the last twenty years a large
number of 'locali' have appeared in the Sicilian capital, so that you
can spend the evening having fun. The wide variety and the distribution
of these places throughout the area gives residents and visitors alike
the possibility to choose between pubs, beer-houses, and discos, where
there are lots of new friends to be made. If you prefer something a
little less noisy, with great background music, so that you can chat to
your friends and enjoy excellent service at the same time, why not try
Birreria Kovacs, which also offers a Hungarian menu. Au Domino is a
historical pub in Via Principe di Belmonte, and Agricantus, has various
shows and entertainment, or how about Cambio Cavalli, one of the first
pubs in Palermo? If you prefer live Italian, American, English and South
American music then Crazy Bull is probably the place for you, decorated
in traditional American style. You may want to try the Carlotta Pub or
the Villa Niscemi close to the Villa of the same name. New singers get a
chance to shine at the Bier Garten and the Malox, which also allows its
clients to use the internet.
Discos
Amongst the popular discos in the area, the most important (without
doubt) are Kandisky Florio in the ancient district of Arenella, the
Anticlea Pub and the Kursaal Kalesa Club (located along the promenade of
the Foro Italico) and the Country Club, which is great in the summer
season, when it has large open-air dance floors. Not forgetting the
famous discos in the Province such as La Conchiglia and the Palatime on
the Isola delle Femmine.
Games Halls
For those who love playing games and challenging their friends to a
friendly match, there are two great bowling alleys, Bowling La Favorita
and Bowling & Games. Lovers of billiards have many rooms to choose
from, one of the most popular is the Sala Mari.
Dining in Europe > Palermo
Hotels in Europe > Hotels
in Italy > Palermo
Hotels
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