Lido Azzurro in Marina di Ragusa: Beach & Lunch

Located in the heart of Marina di Ragusa, Lido Azzurro da Serafino is quite possibly the most sumptuous beachfront restaurant in all of south-east Sicily. Founded in 1953 by Serafino La Rosa and now managed by his sons, Antonio and Giuseppe, Lido Azzurro is the hip beach club sister of celebrated Relais & Châteaux Locanda Don Serafino in Ragusa Ibla, one of the finest hotels with an acclaimed Michelin starred restaurant. The cuisine at Lido Azzuro is as excellent, and located on the beach in Marina di Ragusa overlooking the sparkling blue Mediterranean, the combination is magical. Arriving early for a day on the beach at Lido Azzurro beach club, we set up "camp" on two of their umbrella-topped sun lounges, and enjoyed the morning swimming in the wonderfully warm sea. Having brought my Inspector Montalbano novel 'Gli Arancini di Montalbano' by Andrea Camilleri, I felt fully immersed in Sicilian life by the sea.

Marina di Ragusa is also where the fictitious detective resides — I would too. In keeping with the fictitious detective's love for good food, we lazed up from the beach to Lido Azzurro da Serafino for lunch, anticipating their outstanding menu which specializes in local fish and seafood, as well as sensational homemade pasta dishes. In true Sicilian fashion, we started with a bottle of cold Etna Bianco to enjoy with our first course, chef Termini's signature Selezione di Crudita del Mare, a selection of raw fish and crustaceans, and Selezione del Mare Don Serafina Crudi e Cotta, a sea selection of raw and cooked seafood. The pastas, all homemade, are not to be missed as we had learnt before, especially the Spaghetti di Gragnano ai ricci di mare, an outstanding pasta with fresh sea urchins which was absolutely delicious. Falling in love with the food, wine and sensational location, we spent the rest of the day on the beach, and promised to return the next day for yet another Lido Azzurro lunch and celebrate our last day in Marina di Ragusa before driving to Palermo.

The glorious warm azure blue Mediterranean was just perfect for swimming

Just steps from our beachfront loungers to the restaurant was the most magical combination

Gli Arancini di Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri

The ever so inviting Ristorante Don Serafino Lido Azzurro

Our lovely Lido Azzurro server opening a delicious Etna Bianco

2014 Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna Bianco

The wine and water nestled in a bucket of ice

Lido Azzurro chef Jerry Termini

Homemade sesame grissini

La Soste di Plisse is a prestigious Sicilian extra virgin olive oil

Delicious fresh squishy and crunchy bread

Ristorante Da Serafino Lido Azzuro fabulous menu of fresh local fish, seafood and handmade pasta 

Selezione di crudita del mare: Selection of raw fish

Fresh local sea urchin

Fresh sea urchin in the shell

Wonderful plump oyster

Red sea prawn with the roe

Sliced raw swordfish with flying fish roe

Selezione del mare Don Serafina - crudi e cotta: Don Serafina sea selection - raw and cooked

Special seafood utensils for the pasta shells

Tagliolini freschi Don Serafino alle vongole veraci, cozze, gamberi e polpo: Don Serafino Tagliolini with clams, mussels, shrimp and octopus

The colour of shells are always captivating

Spaghetti Damigella ai Ricci di mare: Spaghetti with sea urchins, but a better translation is 'uni bliss'

www.locandadonserafino.it/lido-azzurro-una-lunga-storia