A heartfelt moment with my Sicilian family

In November 2022, just two months after my dad passed away my mom was about to go to her Sicily tour and convinced me to join. I said yes, since I had never been and she spoke only grand things about that place. She started doing these tours in Sicily together with Judy Witts Francini, a chef and cookbook author, but also a long time friend of her that has lived in Tuscany for thirty years.

To be honest, I was expecting a typical touristy beachside destination. But when we arrived, I realized how different this place was. It was remote, almost hidden, a single hotel-restaurant on a quiet beach, far away from your picturesque Italian beach oasis. 

We arrived around 5 p.m. and were led to our rooms by a warm woman. We had the hotel completely to ourselves, no other guest in sight and the dining room was empty. Couldn’t wrap my head around how anyone would come in and eat here, to this remote place called Menfi, on the south coast on Sicily.

We met at 7 p.m. for dinner, and it was definitely a different scene.

As we walked into the restaurant, the capo, the don himself -Mr. Vittorio- greets my mom, and Judy giving them warm, long hugs! Then looking at me, my mom introduces me, he then gave me the Italian greeting, kiss on both of my cheeks, followed by some Italian words I could not understand, but I felt his warmth. His son, Miguel Angelo, greeted us as well, also Vittorio’s son-in-law, Chef Ignazio, who was the second in charge and later I learned he was also an amazing pastry chef. 

As we took a seat in this long dining table we were quickly served some great white wine from Etna selected by Christian, who is a wine connoisseur and great element in the restaurant during service.

We never got a menu handed to us, instead, just after being greeted, we started receiving a diverse amounts of antipasti, all incredibly delicious and completely different from each other, quickly I realized the feast my mom had been talking about for years was here in front of us. Extremely simple tableware paired with a view of the Mediterranean.

As the dinner progressed, I quickly realized the depth of every dish, the simplicity of them reflecting the most important for myself and for many chefs: The quality of the ingredients.

Not doing anything fancy, no crazy garnishes, no crazy presentations, just food on the plate nicely presented, letting the ingredients speak for themselves. Less is more, they say.

During our tour, we had planned a four-night stay at Da Vittorio’s.  Of course every night something different was presented, everything absolutely amazing. I then quickly realized why is it one of the top food destinations in Italy.

We ate: Tuna carpaccio, baby octopus braised in a tomato sauce, gamberi rosso, pasta vongole, fennel & orange salad, frito mixto, octopus salad, alici drizzled in oil, salt baked whole fish, grilled langoustines, and one of his specialties spaghetti alla Vittorio.

As the years passed and I took over Seasons of My Heart, every year until last year I returned twice, one time in the spring and one in the fall, always eager to arrive and always with a beautiful warm welcome upon arrival by the whole family.

Last year in November, as we were getting ready to depart. Vittorio, as per usual, took one of his own branded champagne bottles. He and Christian served everyone from our group a glass and happily cheered with us: Salute! 

Just two weeks after we were there eating and cheering with him, and his family, Judy send me a message. I received the heavy news of the passing of Vittorio.

I was shocked and felt this overpowering sadness of my dear friend transcending.

Fast forward to May this year, returning to Sicily to do our spring tour, I was greeted by the entire family everyone giving me their condolences with huge hugs. I myself, expressing my deep my condolences to them.

Now reflecting on this trip, I see the legacy that prevails within the families and brings me a smile every time I remember those times shared with Vittorio and the family sharing moments with my mom.

To Don Vittorio and Susana,
Salute!

Kaelin

Chef Vittorio Brignoli was the heart and soul behind Ristorante Da Vittorio in Porto Palo di Menfi. Born in Bergamo in northern Italy, Brignoli’s culinary journey led him to Sicily in the late 1960s. There, he met and married Francesca Maranzano, from Menfi. Together, they started something special that we all get to enjoy today. 

www.seasonsofmyheart.com

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