Aside from the conference dinner on July 25, conference attendees generally form their own small groups to try out different restaurants in the Petralias and nearby towns. The biggest appeal of these restaurants lies in their unpretentious, delicious mountain-Sicilian menus (based on locally sourced vegetables, cheeses, and meats). Information on some restaurants that we have tried and liked are provided below. If you are planning to go in a group (which is generally the case) it is necessary to call the day before and make a reservation. Note that only two of the restaurants below are in Petralia Sottana, while the rest are within a 30-45 minute drive.
In Petralia Sottana, aside from Il Castello’s upstairs restaurant/pizzeria there is a new restaurant/pizzeria called Il Ritrovo (not tried). For basic stuff there is Vizi e Sfizi at the end of the main drag (opposite end from the church). The Saxum Pub is a standby to dine with locals. The best anywhere for coffee and breakfast fare in the morning and for grappas and gelati in the evening is Sgroi’s Bar in the middle of the main drag. It may also be worth going to the main street of nearby Geraci Siculo for aperitivi and then retreating to Il Rifugio dell”aquila for dinner in the same town.
Please use google maps for exact locations. As mentioned these trips will not be organized by the conference.