Rustic

Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR)

by Lavinia Colonna Preti
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets

In Marzamemi, a characteristic fishing village, Liccamuciula is a shop and restaurant inserted in the magical context of the Palazzo di Villadorata and the splendid central square of the small fishing village of Arab origin.

A fairy tale that can be read between the waves of the sea and the pages of the many books that populate this wonderful restaurant and concept store created by Barbara Fronterrè, combining her love for cooking and literature, with the idea of paying homage to the traditions and to the old shops of “her” Marzamemi.

A small village dedicated to fishing since the dawn of time, its history has always been marked by that of the tonnara (tuna fishery). For many years the most important in eastern Sicily, it was founded under Arab domination as early as the year 1000 and expanded during the XVII century by the Villadorata family, until the interruption of this type of fishing in the 60s.

Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets

My family has always lived here, Liccamuciula is an act of love for our land and for the art of passing on our country stories.

(Barbara, owner)

From there a slow oblivion until the town’s little square, about 20 years ago, began to come back to life thanks to the birth of Taverna La Cialoma restaurant, opened by Donna Lina Campisi, that today has become the symbol of the rebirth of Marzamemi.

Years later, just opposite, Barbara, daughter of Donna Lina and proud granddaughter of the Rais (manager in local language) of the Tonnara of Marzamemi, decided to give life to her dream, inspired by childhood memories, when she was known as the little “liccamuciula”, who local dialect indicates a person with a sweet tooth. Thus, her restaurant, of which she also coordinates the kitchen with an all-female team of cooks, is a hymn of love to the history of the village, told through books and the many handicrafts, bijoux, gastronomy products and wines that you can buy them here.

Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets

No vessel can take you you farther than a book.

The decoration of the rooms is inspired by the reuse of ancient marine objects recovered in the village and the theme of reading. In fact, book-shaped lights, typewriters and hand-decorated ceramics appear among the shelves, in an ensemble that well tells the story of the thousand cultures, primarily the Arab one, which have met over the centuries in this wonderful corner of Sicily.

The details are extremely refined, such as the choice to decorate each table with a book or, in the cold months, to arrange comfy blankets on the chairs to still enjoy the outdoor dehors, up to the many aphorisms, written everywhere, which speak of the sea and ancient adventures.

Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets

The menu is truly delicious, perfect for any time of day: it is no coincidence that a sign outside the restaurant reads, like a mantra, the phrase “always open”. You can start for an aperitif with Sicilian tapas, such as raw red prawns, the vegetable caponata or arancini, and then continue for lunch or dinner with the “Literary dishes” and the “Great classics” with recipes that look to tradition such as fish swordfish with datterini tomatoes, herbs, capers, raisins and Marsala wine or baked cod with almond cream and roasted potatoes, to be accompanied, of course, by excellent Sicilian wines.

It goes without saying that Liccamuciula is one of the most magical places in Sicily, where you can really understand why Goethe wrote: It is not possible to form a correct idea of Italy without having seen Sicily: herein lies the key to everything.

The Secret

During the Second World War Marzameni suffered a severe attack by the British aviation which damaged the Tonnara in particular, marking the beginning of its decline.

Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets
Liccamuciula Cucina, Libri e Bottega (SR) — Sicilia Secrets

Useful Info

Liccamuciula
Piazza Regina Margherita 2
96018 Marzamemi, Siracusa
Tel. +39 0931 092086

Tapas: from 7 euro
Mains: from 16 euro

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