Palazzaccio Ristorante — Restaurant in Castelbuono

We came with great expectations for a restaurant decorated with a Michelin recommendation, and left more disappointed than we could have ever imagined.

From the outside and first impressions, all seemed good. Polished interior, a small menu with around 10 dishes ranging from 10 to 18 EUR. The first waiter was very professional and at ease. Things turned bad when the waiter was suddenly replaced with the most unprofessional waiter we’ve ever come across. Inadequate dress in T-Shirt and jeans that made the average tourist look over-dressed by comparison was only the beginning. He kept asking intrusive and unnecessary question, seemingly hanging around at and on our table making us feel incredibly awkward.

The food was no better. A starter of pasta with porcini mushrooms was the blandest dish I’ve ever come across in Italy, lacking any taste - as if cooked by a child in 5 minutes. The mixed antipasti had one or two decent dishes among mediocre offerings including an underwhelming carpaccio.

The main dish was equally disappointing. My grilled lamb was so burnt that it made me sick. The appealing sounding roasted pork with wine jus was nothing special. Both dishes came with a side of average roasted potatoes and spinach. No sign of creativity.

The whole experience took about 2 hours, far too long for just two courses. Overall, the restaurant tried hard at appearing upscale but failed crushingly. I would strongly recommend avoiding it for any random pizzeria in the surroundings, you will thank yourself for it.

Great reviews, MIchelin recommendation, people say it should have a star Nice interior, plates/glasses etc. Small menu, with around 10 dishes total from 10 to 18 Eur. Came at 7.20pm, told to come back 20min later. But then had to wait for ages. One professional waiter for first interaction, but then replaced by very unprofessional waiter who asked the same questions again (where are we from, intolerances etc.) Very unusual, not appropriately dressed - T-shirt, personal hygiene, generally awkward, almost no English. Very awkward conversation about where else we’ve been in itally, leans on chair, pours water awkwardly. Have never seen anything like this, not even at cheap around the corner restaurant. Scraped remains in front of your eyes.

When ordering, was told that one dish was still in the oven, then told that fine it would be ready.

Food: Bland, lacking seasoning. Pasta con porcini, most disappointing pasta ever eaten in Italy. Boring like hell. Returned it. Carpaccio boring, just ricotta Boring bread.

Grilled lamb so burnt that I felt bad afterwards. Roast pork, kind of OK, jus not great.

Both dishes had the same sides: potatoes and spinach. Very unimaginative and not appropriate for price.

All in all, what the hell was going on that day. How could Michelin even get close to...

From the moment we entered the door, until the moment we departed, complete with hugs and kisses, this was just an outstanding dining experience.

The wine list is Sicilian, but they also stock wines from all over Italia so be sure to ask if you have a special request. We settled on a wonderful 4 Star Barolo.

The chef provided us with an amazing tasting of White Sicilian Caponata which was absolutely delicious.

For appetizers, we ordered Puffed Pastery Ricotta with Tomato Compote and Truffled Farm Fresh Eggs. Both were amazing. The Ricotta was so airy and creamy and when mixed with the lightly toasted puffed pastry, the taste was luxurious.

Our Primi, we shared two pasta dishes, the special, a Truffled Ravioli and a Pork Ragu. Both were to die for. The Ragu was absolutely the perfect comfort food taste and texture, if you like Pork Ragu, this is a must.

Our Secondi, we all (3 of us) shared a slow cooked Beef Tenderloin in a Red Wine and Tomato Reduction. It was amazing. The beef was so tender that it literally melted in our mouths. By this time, we had finished our Barolo and our hosts were kind enough to treat us to a glass of house wine each, again just wonderful.

Desert could not be passed up, and the three of us shared a traditional Sicilian Ricotta, Chocolate and Pistachio Torte. Even though we were so full, it was entirely consumed, so perfect to end our meal.

The service, the food, the love of food and making friends, all added up to just an amazing experience.

And Claudia, as I said, the Paolo spritz was the wine messaging us that we were going to be treated to an exceptional experience!

This is a must experience...

In 2016 was touring grandfather's Cefalu and was told by a bartender to hit Castelbuono for dinner we parked on a side street and wandered past this hole in the wall and my heart was taken by the space and the funny name. T r e m e n d o u s experience in menu, drink, appearance, presentation, service and general joi d'vivre. The husband was especially charmed by the personal rapor. ...2hours? later my Sicilian meter buzzed in the finale....owner came over to hear our story and out came the grappa.....really, one of the most perfect amd most memorable and talked about experiences in our lives....when the night turns to grappa...and all the tables join in knowing one another-an electric space I live for. Sending this recommendation to a friend I see it's now a Michelin. At once elated, it just made me so happy and smile deeply...