We have been having so much fun that I have forgotten to blog!  I’ll catch up over the next couple of weeks.  We have lots of tales to tell.  

But we left off in Taormina.  

Here’s a short taste of what turned out to be our favorite restaurant this trip – Malvasia.

It is outside of Porta Catania with delicious authentic Sicilian fare, cooked up by Leonore, the mother of the “Boss” (we know he’s the boss because it says so on the back of his shirt).  Other family members work there, too.  You could order a half-litre of vino rosso locale for 6 Euro or a litre for 12 E, and they have the best octopus salad I’ve ever had.  Everything we ordered (on at least 5 visits) was delicious.  

We went so many times that Chef Leonore would come sit with us after she finished cooking.

But one of our favorite parts was the singing (I tried to upload a video).

Singers often come into restaurants in Taormina, passing the hat after they entertain.  But these singers were exceptional and usually stayed for 5 or 6 songs – thanks to Mama Leonore who came out and clapped for them and served her own special vino as a thank you.  I think we were their favorite stop.  The crowd was happy to see them (probably thanks to the litres of wine) and would sing and clap loudly along.  

The best.