VERDURA RESORT LAUNCHES THE NEW SICILIAN SEASON WITH A SIGNIFICANT REDE

Following significant investment, Rocco Forte Hotels’ Verdura Resort unveils an impressive  makeover by Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen in collaboration with Olga Polizzi.

Rocco Forte Hotels’ Verdura Resort in Sicily has reopened its doors following a full refurbishment  of its central building, the beating heart of the hotel. The island’s rich culinary traditions come to life at three new restaurants – L’Osteria, Zagara and Buongiorno – and at the newly launched cocktail bar Scirocco. Another exciting addition is the unveiling of the piazza beside the 16^th century Saracen Tower. This lively and bustling space features a new shopping area and is home to Nagori, a restaurant where Japanese and Sicilian flavours meet. Guests can also rediscover Liolà, a Sicilian restaurant that reopens this season with a brand-new look.

“We are thrilled to begin a new chapter in the story of Verdura Resort. The recent renovations really capture the essence of the location and elevate Verdura’s hospitality to new levels offering our guests an entirely new experience. The resort is looking stunning, I am so delighted with the results.” states Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels.

NEW CULINARY OFFERINGS | The Resort’s eight dining outlets celebrate the finest Sicilian flavours, now complemented by several new restaurants serving international cuisine, each embodying the signature style of Rocco Forte Hotels. Curated by Creative Director of Food Fulvio Pierangelini, the hotel’s exceptional gastronomic offeringincludes Zagara, Buongiorno, Ondina, Amare and Liolà. This season, three new additions – L’Osteria, Scirocco Bar and Nagori – enrich the dining experience, with culinary offerings crafted to delight the most refined and discerning palates.

L’OSTERIA: A MULTIFACETED SPACE | Open from noon to 11pm, L’Osteria is a versatile all-day dining venue serving simple, comforting dishes. The menu features the likes of small cod fish from Sciacca. In homage to traditional osterias, wines are served in carafes, and a daily special is thoughtfully prepared. The Resort’s own vegetable garden provides the osteria with fresh produce each day, highlighting the property’s commitment to sustainability. The restaurant’s simple yet refined design blends natural materials like bamboo with geometric patterns, creating an informal ambience with a cosmopolitan feel. A seafront terrace completes the experience, offering delightful sea vistas extending to the coast of Africa.

SCIROCCO: THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR COCKTAIL LOVERS | Perfect for an aperitivo or an after-dinner drink, Scirocco is the resort’s innovative cocktail bar, a seductive den with a fun and playful design. With its warm wood finishes and terracotta palettes, the bar exudes a warm and sophisticated feel. Hand painted wall motifs by artist Phyllis Claire Smith capture the movement of the Scirocco, an African wind that often blows across the bar’s panoramic terrace The cocktail menu is a tribute to the flavours of Sicily, with drinks prepared using fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs from the Resort’s Verdura Farm.

NAGORI: A NEW CULINARY CONCEPT BY FULVIO PIERANGELINI | Chef Fulvio Pierangelini’s latest gastronomic offering fully embraces the rhythm of the seasons, with dishes marrying western and Far Eastern culinary traditions. The chef’s creations are prepared using the finest local produce, incorporating both raw and cooked ingredients, complemented by greens sourced from the resort’s own vegetable garden. “The mastery, purity, precision, and artistry of Japanese sushi-making combine with fresh fish and seafood from the Mediterranean Sea. Nagori is a story of Japan and Sicily,” explains Chef Pierangelini. Located within the ancient Saracen Tower, the restaurant features a Japanese-style design rooted in the principles of minimalism, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

ZAGARA: THE RESORT’S SECRET GARDEN | Providing the perfect setting to host elegant dinners, Zagara’s new design echoes a magical summer night’s garden, with bronze sculptures, lush foliage, stone and wood elements, and climbing plants wrapped around majestic wooden columns. Secluded dining niches located throughout the garden provide an intimate and exclusive ambiance while ensuring plenty of privacy. Exuding the charm of a hidden garden, the restaurant sets the stage for unforgettable evenings, whether enjoyed indoors or by the pool.

THE NEW LOBBY AREA AND L’AGORÁ | As part of the resort’s stunning redesign, the main entrance – masterfully reimagined by Lady Olga Polizzi, Director of Design Rocco Forte Hotels – welcomes guests this season in a luxurious sanctuary of serenity and calm. Sunlight streams through all-glass windows, bathing the space in a golden hue. The area around the Saracen Tower is a gathering place where guests can shop and later take in sunset views over a drink or dinner at Nagori or Liolà. A charming Sicilian trattoria, Liolà features a vibrant new design that celebrates local craftsmanship, with colourful majolica tiles and warm terracotta tones. The restaurant’s fun and vibrant setting makes it the perfect destination for a family meal, with wood-fired pizzas also served here.