In Noto, a Michelin star, chef Marco Baglieri interprets his idea of Sicily in refined and essential cuisine, yet rich in meaning, as is the interior design of the restaurant inspired by a dreamlike interstellar landscape that invites us to “look beyond ”.

The restaurant is located in the upper part of Noto, near the Church of the Crucifix from which it takes its name, and in 2023 it marked the history of the city by earning it its first Michelin star.

The gastronomic history of chef and owner Marco Baglieri begins, however, in the kitchen of his mother, owner together with his father of a trattoria opened in 1985 in Noto. Passionate about their work, he supported them in the early days and then sought his own path with the birth of the Crucifix.

In Sicily we are lucky enough to be able to open the window and find a great variety of ingredients. My passion is to enhance them in order to give the guest an unforgettable experience.

(Marco Baglieri)

The turning point came from the meeting with the starred chef Ciccio Sultano from Ragusa which led him to combine his traditional soul with the techniques of haute cuisine. For Marco a new, bright path opens up which, while maintaining the flavors of the ingredients that make up the dish unchanged, enriches them with new meanings.

Having found his way, led him to feel the need to renovate the Crucifix in 2017 and, to do so, he turned to the Sicilian architect Vincenzo Ignaccolo, one of the founders of the Milanese reality VI + M Studio.

Together they study spaces with an apparent minimalist simplicity that reveal their profound essence in the details in which a “stellar” universe is hidden that reveals itself only to those who know how to observe. A reflection, or perhaps a metaphor, of Marco’s soul.

The result is three monochrome environments, whose character is defined by the objects and furnishings they house, characterized by lamps that create the effect of the full moon and a multitude of stars that descend from the ceiling, created specifically by a local craftsman, with walls in shades from light blue to sidereal gray that allude to the skies of interstellar spaces.

Original mirror paintings create depth with space and connection between environments, emphasizing the dreamlike lunar landscape with their colors. Every detail is a reference to Sicily, to its history, first and foremost the beautiful canvas by Sergio Fiorentino, a famous artist from Catania, Netino by adoption, which well represents the soul of his city.

In the kitchen, the philosophy of Crocifisso can be summarized in delicacy, elegance, and authentic expression of the territory in an intimate search for perfection. A food and wine story that leads to the discovery of Sicily, with surprising balances, unexpected colors and innovative textures.

To fully experience this journey, the chef recommends tasting menus, with a choice of seafood, meat and vegetarian options.

An example of this is Pizzuta, an interpretation that sees almonds (pizzuta is a variety) served at different temperatures and consistencies, reflecting the drive for innovation starting from common ingredients.

Or, in the amuse-bouche, the fake pickled olive (the traditional Sicilian fermentation method) served together with pure cherry tomato water and oregano-flavoured oil accompanied by homemade bread with ancient Sicilian grains and sourdough. A true explosion of taste reminiscent of the sea and the smells of Sicily.

The wine cellar is located in a space adjacent to the restaurant, an almost sacred place kept at a constant temperature, where over 400 labels are kept. An offer that aims to enhance, alongside native wineries, also wines that cross regional and national borders, from France to Lebanon, passing from Slovenia to Greece to Austria and Germany.

A very broad drink list with character, like the selection of “amari” and digestives which fully expresses the identity of the territory without however closing itself off to it: agricultural rums, whisky, cognac, armagnac, gin and vermouth, Piedmontese and Sicilian grappas will make you travel with your imagination.

Marco’s beauty is also found in his incredible team, and here his “stellar” metaphor returns because cosmic space would not be the same without all its elements and only “together we really shine”.

The Secret

Marco loves to pay particular attention to ethics as well as sustainability; the vegetables, for example, come from a local garden that supports community projects.

Useful Info

Ristorante Crocifisso
Via Principe Umberto 46/48
96017 Noto, Siracusa
Tel. +39 0931 968608

Tasting menu: from 95 euro, wine pairing from 65 euro
A la carte: from the tasting menu 2 dishes and a dessert of your choice 80 euro