Many nuances of taste: in the atmosphere, in the plate, in the glass
Michelin star 2024 restaurant on Etna, chef Giovanni Santoro
Shalai restaurant
The restaurant of the Shalai design boutique hotel is the laboratory of chef Giovanni Santoro.
His work is maniacal research of the raw material: precious meats are selected from native farms by the prestigious family butcher and processed by the kitchen brigade. The vegetables are always in season, controlled and harvested by small producers, flank a fish that arrives daily from the local fish markets and is processed both from cooked and raw using the most modern blast chilling standards. So much effort and great passion have been rewarded with the achievement of the first Michelin star in 2015.
His work is maniacal research of the raw material: precious meats are selected from native farms by the prestigious family butcher and processed by the kitchen brigade. The vegetables are always in season, controlled and harvested by small producers, flank a fish that arrives daily from the local fish markets and is processed both from cooked and raw using the most modern blast chilling standards. So much effort and great passion have been rewarded with the achievement of the first Michelin star in 2015.
Philosophy
A careful selection in the ingredients, a connection to Linguaglossa and a well-rounded vision of what Sicily can give, all neatly presented in one dish. These are some of the traits of Giovanni Santoro’s cuisine, as chef of the Michelin Star 2024 restaurant Shalai.
Giovanni Santoro
Giovanni Santoro, born in Linguaglossa, after many experiences in the kitchens of renowned Italian and international restaurants, returned to live and work "at home". The Pennisi Family welcomed Giovanni in their restaurant at the Shalai resort as the executive chef. In 2015 the Shalai Restaurant obtained the prestigious award of the Michelin Star.
The menu
The menu is a crescendo of surprising and captivating sensations, alternating between fish and meat, but also with a range of exclusively vegetarian dishes. The cuisine is linking two worlds that blend in perfection: on one side Mount Etna (or as the locals call it, ‘A Muntagna), on the other the sea.
Cellar
Another fundamental element, besides the attentive waiting staff and carefully arranged dining rooms, is the wine cellar. A magical and careful selection of hundreds of bottles that celebrate and tell the stories of Sicily and of Etna’s flourishing vineyards.
Lounge bar
The Lounge bar is the perfect frame for your conversations and musings here at Shalai, with its intimate setting, soft lighting, and attentive staff to anticipate your wishes and desires.
Wedding and events
More and more often Shalai has been chosen as the location to experience the most beautiful day for a couple. Wedding and more. Shalai releases its magnetism in any type of event.
