Bottega Monteleone — Restaurant in Palermo

Review:

I really enjoyed the cheese. The large platter of meats and cheeses was truly delicious. The appetizers were very fresh, and the bread was soft and flavorful — impressive, considering it was already 11 p.m.

We ordered Etna red and orange wine. Unfortunately, they were disappointing: the orange wine tasted watery (in Modica we had an excellent orange wine to compare), and the red had an overpowering alcoholic note.

The bar with Sicilian products left a generally pleasant impression. The barrel tables are a great design choice — a special thumbs-up from me as a designer. The atmosphere was also lovely: candles on the tables (though electric), nice music, and a diverse yet interesting crowd.

The service was excellent: the waiter was very polite and empathetic, the table was thoroughly cleaned in front of us, and the ashtray was immediately replaced. Overall, the service left a very positive impression.

On the downside — the menu is written on the wall. It’s not very convenient: you end up standing there, especially in heels, like a statue, trying to figure it out.

The location is cozy — on a lively, but not too crowded...

If you have a reservation, it can be an average place. But if you don’t, they’ll pretend to make space for you, sell you drinks, and then eventually ask you to leave. I had a really bad experience: the only thing that actually arrived were the drinks. We ordered food three times, waited about 40 minutes, and it never came. In the end, they told us the food had never been ordered and asked us to leave. There are definitely better places in town with better wine, better service, and much more organization. I recomend R• Darpa Buffa is just down the street the service is 100/10 and the vibe so nice! Or...

I only write reviews in exceptionally good or exceptionally bad circumstances. This is the former. The amber glow of the quaint passage of this small bodega is what lured me in, closer inspection revealed a superb music selection, of the relaxed and funky vibe. Even closer inspection revealed sublime wines and exciting panini’s. The hostess (and owner) Katerina provided excellent background stories a warm smile, which was visible even beneath the covid mask. A must visit in Palermo. Off the beaten track just enough to avoid the mayhem, but close enough to feel the atmosphere of the city. I will visit...