Quick glance:
+ family run business with friendly staff and chef
+ traditional Sicilian alongside fusion flavours
+ good selection of wine
+ rustic charms
+ a bit pricey, but good value for money
I visited A'Cuncuma in September 2012. At the time, the restaurant has only been opened for about 3 months in a very commercial part of Palermo. As we wandered around on a Sunday afternoon close to 2pm, the town was deserted and the restaurant looked closed. The door was slightly ajar so we poked our heads in and found most patrons were coming to the end of their meals. Despite lunch service winding down, the maitre d' warmly welcomed up and sat us down for lunch.
The food was a bit on the pricey side compared to restaurants in Palermo, but it was comparable to prices in the more touristy areas of Catania, and I can assure you the food is of great quality for the price. Once we sat down, a selection of fresh bread in a canvas bag greeted us - how rustic! And on each table are three bottles of local olive oil, perfect for those with discerning taste, or just curious how different types of olive oil taste.
For starter, we shared the platter of local cheese and cured meats. The waitress who delivered our order took care to point out what each item was. Perfect for future reference in case we liked something and wanted to get it at the supermarket at a later time.
For mains, I had the tuna risotto while my partner had cod with fig molasses and curry - a fusion of Sicilian and the East. I was really impressed with how the chef had creatively mixed flavours from different cultures and made it work, while ensuring that the raw ingredients were fresh and prepared perfectly.
For dessert, we shared the cannoli with ricotta, a traditional Sicilian dessert, and it was one of the better ones I've had on the island.
By the time we've finished our dessert, the restaurant had emptied. The staff was sat at the table next to us with some family members who have dropped by. They were celebrating something and had a huge chocolate cake. Before we could ask the bill, a slice of chocolate cake was delivered to our table, just because they were that nice.
I was thoroughly impressed by the warmth of the family who runs this restaurant, the great atmosphere, and the fresh and tasty food; I wish them every success. read more