One way to describe Il Gattopardo is "out of a movie." This delicious Sicilian cafe/restaurant literally takes its name from the 1963 Italian blockbuster "Il Gattopardo" starring Burt Lancaster. The restaurant (or as frequenters almost exclusively refer to it-Salvatore's, after the owner) is...um...uniquely in not somewhat lavishly decorated and includes blown-up stills from the movie itself.

This, however, is only an aside. The movie quality of Il Gattopardo is seen best in it's super-friendly, classically Italian (Sicilian, rather) owner Salvatore, a raspy-voiced excited and wildly-gesturing wunderchef who is fond of tasty giveaways to regulars and always remembers names, dogs and wine preferences

Add in the typical italian staff, a pleasant Russian general manager named Oksana and a romantic, covered terrace outside and we've set the scene....

Highlights:

- Wide and tasty wine selection (Italo-Sicilian only) selection, very, very reasonably priced--over six house wines in total from 50 - 80 kc for 0.25l (a huge 8 oz wine glass)

- Food is bistro-style. Regular menu items include salads like a mozzarella, proscuitto, melon combo that simply slaps you in the taste buds. Daily specials are great, under 200 kc and include lamb chops, steaks, seafood combinations and more. Yummy, small side dishes are included to rattle the mouth a bit between bites.

-Excellent Gelato, homemade by Salvatore himself with Italian milk and ingredients. An unbeliveable 20kc per scoop. Espresso drinks are above-average and presented well.

-Quality glasses and dishes. Y'know, presentation does add to the aesthetic of Il Gattopardo. For example, large, blooming red wine glasses fill your face with good wine scents and are normally given if it's not really busy. You can ask for one.

Bottom line:

Il Gattopardo is a most welcome, classy, highly-affordable and delicious restaurant with a broad range of traditional, super-authentic delights. No more pizza/pasta "Italian" restaurants run by Jiri and Marketa. It's most definitely a "slow food" kind of place. Chew every bite more and relax...

This place is serious, and seriously good.