"Osteria Mercede is located just a few blocks behind the famous Teatro Massimo opera house (which you’ll recognize from The Godfather Part III, White Lotus, or both, depending on how old you are) and is open most days for lunch and dinner. Here, the owner's previous life as a mariner comes through in the loosely-nautical decor and Mediterranean color scheme. They offer decent pricing for an entirely fish-based menu—think shellfish pastas, pesto alla trapanese with prawns, and mussels with tenerumi squash. In addition to traditional Italian plates like pasta with clams or mussels, you’ll find daily specials such as swordfish alla palermitana written on the hanging chalkboards in the dining room." - linda sarris
Benedetto Tarantino