And oh the food...(This one's for you, KT!)

The honeymoon has not quite ended in my love affair with Taormina.  

Today the focus is the fabulous and delicious offerings of Sicilian cuisine.

For you non-fish lover's, I send my regrets.  Because you are really missing out by not being adventurous when visiting the island.  I mentioned Mendolia Beach Club in my last post.  And here is one of the best meals I have ever eaten.

We also enjoyed a creative and mouth-watering meal at the Ristorante di Nettuno (Via Tysandros 68/D) in Giardini Naxos just down the hill from Taormina including a "Tris of Fish Pasta" and Pasta al Nero di Seppia (spaghetti flavored and tinted with the ink of cuttlefish).

And a whole lot of grappa!

Then there are the desserts.  My photos and narrative won't even do them justice.  Cannoli (a crispy fried pastry filled with fresh ricotta, yummmmm) ...

and Cassata (sponge cake of ricotta, sugar and candied fruit) are my favorites. Try the Cassata at Granducaand the Cannoli at Mendolia or Licchio's.  You can also find a colorful and fun assortment of marzipane candies that look so real, you almost hate to eat them!

*For you "non-fishies", I suggest you try the Caponata (friend eggplant chunks in a sweet and sour sauce), Maccu (bean and fennel soup), Arancini (fried balls of rice, veggies and mozzarella), Pasta alla Norma (spaghetti with a spicy sauce of tomatoes, eggplant and ricotta) and any flavor of honey you can get your hands on.  I personally devour the honey-suckle flower honey from Oro D'Etna.

Now top it all off with this and it's time to say "buona notte"!

One Perfect Day...

Have you ever been somewhere and thought it can't get any better than this? 

That is what I feel everytime I spend a day here:

Isola Bella, just below Taormina (to the right of Mazzarò Bay). It has become habit for Lui & I to pass the first day of our Sicilian vacations here.

The actual beach is really called Mendolia, but the beautiful island (also known as The Pearl of the Ionian Sea) is what most people refer to when visiting the bay. There is a rather lovely villa perched on the island between exotic flora and fauna that practically drops into the sea. It was a private residence until 1990 when it was bought by the Region of Sicily and became a nature reserve.  You can take a short tour of the island in the mornings.

Back at the Mendolia Beach Club you can rent a lounge chair and umbrella for 7,50 Euros and enjoy the beautiful views and crystal clear water. 

The beach club has a snack bar with a good assortment of inexpensive sandwiches and pizzas. Or you can avoid the mid-day sun for a couple of hours and treat yourself to a fabulous seafood meal in their beachside restaurant.  

I am usually a bit "leery" of touristy beach restaurants, but after three excellent meals there, I am convinced this place has mastered the art of good food, warm hospitality and one of the best dining ambiences to be had in Taormina. Additionally, they make (or have delivered, not sure) some of the best canoli I have ever tasted!  And their after meal almond wine is a must.

So, my advice to anyone visiting Taormina during the warmer months would be to set a day aside for Isola Bella.  You won't be disappointed!

I am in love...

With Sicily that is! Just back from 5 days in Taormina and suffering from a severe case of post-trip doldrums.

I know that Taormina has its (full) share of tourists and can get pretty crowded when those cruise ships come in, but it is also beautiful, rich in history and architecture, full of good food (more to come on that subject), glamorous and a perfect base for exploring one of Italy's most interesting regions.

More notes soon, but in the meantime, enjoy a few photos from paradise...