The Scene:

A cobblestone staircase leads away from the main cathedral, down a walkway frequented by alley cats and hormonal adolescents. In the heart of Sicily's Taormina, the restaurant is located in a 16th Century residence adorned with gothic portals and renaissance lead-glass windows. Originally a palace owned by the Catalan family "Grugno", who lived in Taormina in the 15th century, the structure has been reconfigured into a series of apartments and a sensational 1-star Michelin eatery. Guests pass-through a humble single-door entryway and are greeted by an owner/host that could easily pass as a charter from a Hemmingway novel. The main dining room is a cartoon-like scene of renaissance plastering emulating a medieval hall or court of King Arthur. In summertime, guests can reserve a table outdoor on a tranquil patio area surrounded in lush topiaries and blossoming flowers.