It’s a foodies' dream to have a meal experience where the food is exceptional, along with the service and ambiance.  Such was our experience at Hostaria Enoteca l’Oste e il Sacrestano. After getting directions from a newsstand operator, we walked down the tiny alley into a small restaurant/enoteca. Chef Giuseppe and his wife Chiara welcomed us on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

We agreed to enjoy whatever the kitchen wanted to prepare for us. The meal started with a pie-like appetizer of mozzarella di buffala between layers of eggplant. It sat on a small pool of the most exquisite tomato sauce. Off to the corner was a dollop of freshly made ricotta cheese and a smear of pesto. A  baby bruschetta was off to the side. Delicious.

Our next course was a seafood salad that featured a large local shrimp sitting atop tiny octopus tendrils. The salad was on top of a silky carrot cream. The garnish was a line of powdered squid ink.  Fabulous flavour and presentation.

Sicily is known for its couscous and we were delighted that our next dish was an amazing seafood version. The couscous was steamed (as it should be) and chock full of plump clams, mussels and shrimp. It was topped with pistachios.

Our final course was a plump cube of the freshest swordfish I’ve ever enjoyed.  It was coated in pine nuts and breadcrumbs before being baked in the oven and served on a perfect square of roasted red pepper and drizzled with an amazing local olive oil. A quenelle of potato was served with the fish. It was flavoured with smoked rosemary!  Absolutely fabulous. A few semi-dried tomatoes provided a splash of colour.

We couldn’t leave without sampling the cannoli. We rated it “the best” ever. A shot of espresso and we were off to explore sunny Sicily.

Congratulations to Chef Giuseppe, who does a remarkable job with the bounty he has to work with in Licata, and to his wife. This young couple does a great job of making people feel welcome.