THE SICILIAN CULINARY PLEASURE IN VIENNA: PASTAMARA

Tue November 10, 2020

In December 2018, the luxury hotel Ritz Carlton Vienna has transformed its lobby into a very stylish and sophisticated Italian restaurant named Pastamara. Beautiful design, warm lightening, wooden details and natural tones – anyone who enters the Pastamara – Bar con Cucina from the reception area, immediately will feel the atmosphere that the Italian ritual of the aperitivo.

ABOUT PASTAMARA

Located in the Ritz-Carlton, Vienna at Schubertring 5-7, you’ll immediately feel the warmth of the terracotta colors and minimalistic furniture that provide laid-back Mediterranean vibes. The native Sicilian star chef Ciccio Sultano has a feel for the right mix of traditional and modern Italian cuisine with appropriate consideration of the aperitivo culture.

MY REVIEW

Let’s start off with an overview

What is special about the Pastamara? Sicilian cuisine is a mixture of different cultures – Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Moors and even Normans, all of which have left their mark, and can be found in traditional dishes. A typical example of Sicilian soul food is the caponata – a hearty vegetable stew that the chef combines with octopus. The restaurant is also a aperitivo hotspot, which has just recently been honored by Gambero Rosso as one of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy, making guests feel as though they are in the center of Sicily. Here you can experience many wonderful dishes curated by star chef Ciccio Sultano, accompanied by a handcrafted Negroni during the Aperitivo Hour starting from 5 p.m.

What to drink?

Here the Italian ritual of aperitivo is taken very seriously, so if you love Campari refreshing cocktails, you should definitely try the signature drinks like the House Negroni and the Ritz Spritz.

What are the specialties?

The menu is filled with homemade pasta, wonderful ravioli, risotto, seafood and meat dishes. The bonus is that Pastamara offers also gluten-free dishes, as well as gluten-free bread.