Il Giardino sul Lago - Torre Faro, Sicily

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Il Giardino sul Lago — Torre Faro, Sicily 🌊

Il Giardino sul Lago

I have spent the last month exploring and eating my way through beautiful Sicily, and I can say without a doubt: this meal and this experience were one of the absolute highlights of my entire trip.

​I discovered this hidden gem during an adventurous walkabout in Torre Faro. What felt like a hidden treasure turned out to be an extraordinary restaurant backed by the Arena brothers, a 5-generation family mussel harvesting business. Their sister operates the fantastic restaurant overlooking the Capo Peloro Reserve

The family showed me incredible hospitality.

Mussel Harvesting

The owner actually took me out on the water to watch the  morning harvest firsthand. Seeing the immense passion, hard work, and generations of heritage behind the food was a privilege I will never forget. 🦪🚤 (And yes, Mr. Bear came along for the ride and made quite a few friends along the way! 🧸🍷)

​Back at the table, the food was a total masterpiece—one of those rare meals where you never want to reach the bottom of the plate:

🥂 A beautiful, crisp Sicilian white wine

🦪 Two pristine, ultra-fresh raw oysters

Spaghetti con le Cozze

🍝 The signature Spaghetti with Mussels (harvested straight from the waters right in front of me!)

🍋 A delicate Lemon Tart with savory Parmesan shortcrust pastry and corn ice cream.

​To the beautiful family at Il Giardino sul Lago: Thank you for your warmth, your kindness, and for giving me a memory that I will treasure forever. You are the true heart of Sicilian hospitality. Grazie di vero cuore! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mr. Areno showing me how to sort mussels

Sara Arena, the sister with Mr Bear

My waitress Valentine Arena holding Mr Bear

Workers sorting mussels harvested in the morning

Mr Bear happliy resting wearing his new sun glasses
after learning all about mussel harvesting