On what felt like the hottest day on earth, we found ourselves at Bar Ventimiglia, waiting for a bus from Catania to the airport. We arrived way too early, and with the station offering little relief from the heat, a granita seemed like the perfect way to cool down.
Bar Ventimiglia was just a stone’s throw from the station, and I assumed it would be a typical spot serving coffee and sandwiches. But as soon as I walked in, the vintage wooden furniture with its artisanal rounded corners, the mirrors, and the elegant confectionery dishes told a different story—I had stepped into a piece of history.
I asked the friendly girl behind the counter, who confirmed my suspicion: this was a historical bar, established in 1967.
With the stress of catching our bus, we quickly grabbed our granitas and sat outside, sipping quickly. As the bus departure time came closer, I rushed back inside for a last-minute photo and a packaged Paste di Mandorla - handmade, of course. In my rush, I realized too late that I’d forgotten to snap a photo of my granita! Was it that good? Absolutely. Was I that stressed? No doubt.
Days later, back home and unpacking, I found the Paste di Mandorla tucked away in a small pocket. One bite, and I was transported back to that moment in Catania - ” almondy”, sweet, soft, and just a bit crunchy. It tasted like a cloud, and it was perfect. But, like the granita, I never documented it.
Bar Ventimiglia, Via Monsignore Ventimiglia, Catania, Sicily
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