The double bet of chefs Patti and Colonnetta: granitas, couscous, and sparkling wines in the courtyard of Palazzo San Demetrio

Francesco Patti and Domenico Colonnetta in Catania have taken two bets. The first, two years ago, when they decided to partially move their high-end dining business from Caltagirone, where they earned a Michelin star in 2012, and the second a few months ago with the opening of a cross between a high-end bar and a bistro, in a structure adjacent to their restaurant in the historic center. Biscò, as its creators prefer not to define it, actually has the ambition to be something more: the opening of a courtyard, that of Palazzo san Demetrio, with an entrance from via Etnea, aims to be a gateway to a historic center recently diminished by a nightlife that is a bit too lively. Patti and Colonnetta, a couple in the kitchen where they spend most of their day, wanted to accompany the starred menu of Corìa, which has already been a reality for the past two years, with a less demanding proposal in terms of the number and type of dishes, which can appeal to both local and tourist clientele.

“We liked the idea that in the heart of the historic center, on via Etnea, even tourists could find the excellence of products, even if for a quick break like a breakfast, an aperitif, or a lunch with essential dishes. From 11 in the morning until evening, we put together unique cocktails, granitas, couscous with the fish soup of the day, fried pasta with eggplant and salted ricotta, Sicilian arancini with black sauce, and platters of cheeses and cured meats.”

Students and, at the beginning of their careers, collaborators of Ciccio Sultano, the two chefs continue to maintain the banqueting activity in Caltagirone, but it is in Catania that they have now decided to focus, with results that are more than satisfactory to date. "Here we have focused a lot on the locations, both in the indoor hall and in the dehors created in the courtyard of Palazzo San Demetrio, where we faced quite a few difficulties in adapting our needs to those of these ancient walls," continues the story Francesco Patti. Every day, considering that we are right next to the historic Catanese markets, we personally go to choose the raw materials in order to offer the musts of Sicilian cuisine. We wanted a place that was absolutely informal, suitable for young people, older people, but also families who might want to toast to an event, specifically a family event, with excellent bubbles. We found that place.