Monday, January 27, 2020

Gagini Social in Palermo: Inspired Sicilian Cuisine





Palermo has been seeing a slow food renaissance, pioneered by Gagini Social Restaurant, in what was once the workshop of renowned 15th-century sculptor Antonio Gagini. This place is an absolute gem. Gagini pulsates within the soft honey coloured 16th-century stone walls of the famous sculptor’s creative forge, set in the most historic part of the city, between the Vucciria Market and the old port of Palermo called ‘La Cala’. It's a unique restaurant dedicated to haute cuisine. Expect sharp professionals and serious gastronomes. In the kitchen are chefs Massimiliano Mandozzi and Elnava De Rosa, who along with their team, champion Sicily’s ‘slow food’ movement preserving the island's regional cuisine firmly rooted in the food heritage of the Island, but with an international and multicultural vision. Enhanced by warm candlelight and a background of refined blues and jazz, the tables are unique pieces created by the artist Alfred Von Hersch, with paintings by Croce Tavarella, and photographs by Pucci Scafidi, all which dialogue artfully with the chef's imaginative creations. Dishes such as Amberjack Carpaccio with bonito mayonnaise and lemon balm oil, and Gerardo di Nola Spaghettoni with Nubian garlic, pine nuts and parsley oil with buffalo stracciatella cheese and red shrimp, the cuisine is inspired, grounded in fine ingredients, and beautifully conceived and executed. With a warm ambiance, excellent service and impressive wine cellar that contains more than 100 Sicilian labels, Gagini is a genuinely memorable Palermo dining experience.



Nestled in a beautiful 16th-century building that was the studio of famed sculptor Antonio Gagini

With furnishings made by the artist Alfred Von Hersch, paintings by Croc Tavarella and photos of Pucci Scafidi, dining at Gagini is a feast for palate as well as the eyes

Fresh flowers on our table 

Gagini Social's inspired menu of modern Sicilian cuisine

Absolutely beautiful Italian water glass

Negroni 

Seven Hills Italian Dry Gin and Tonic, inspired by the 7 hills of Rome

House made fennel grissini

Amuse-bouche

Second amuse-bouche

Gagini warm fresh baked bread

Ostrica, uovo, pancetta dei Nebrodi e ortaggi cotti e crudi: Oyster, egg, bacon from Nebrodi mountains and raw and cooked vegetables

Carpaccio di ricciola, maionese di palamita e olio alla melissa: Amberjack carpaccio, bonito mayonnaise and lemon balm oil

Sommelier opening our wines 

Etna Bianco SRC 2018

Lively and delicious with an intense straw colour

Guarini Syrah Coccinella Aldo Viola 2015

A luscious and smooth Sicilian Syrah 

Agnello come uno scottadito, yogurt ed erbe selvatiche: Lamb two ways - chops and loin, with yogurt and wild herbs

Agnello come uno scottadito, yogurt ed erbe selvatiche: Lamb two ways - chops and loin, with yogurt and wild herbs

Scorfano , sedano, tapioca, erba del Monte Pellegrino e limetta: Rockfish, celery, tapioca, herbs from Pellegrino Mountain and lime

Dessert amuse-bouche of peach gelato with chocolate crumbs

Fragole, basilico e lime: Strawberries with basil and lime gelato

L'estate: cioccolato al latte caramellato, albicocca e anguria: Summer: caramelized milk chocolate, apricot and watermelon

Server carving the Salame di Cioccolato, or Chocolate Salami, as an after dinner sweet

Chocolate salami

Badalucco de la Iglesia Garcia Pipa 3/4 Pre British Marsala

Sicilian Marsala produced in vineyards managed by the same family since 1800

Chef Massimiliano Mandozzi and Pastry Chef Elnava de Rosa



















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