Fodor's Expert Review Charleston

For fine dining in Mondello, you can't go wrong with Charleston, a local institution where the dishes are of the highest quality and the white-gloved waiters offer impeccable service. Partly hidden behind a low white wall directly opposite the beach, the restaurant is an odd combination of the traditional and the contemporary, as the setting is stately and refined while the menu has the minimalist yet adventurous quality of cutting-edge cuisine. Despite the elegant setting, the mood is relaxed and authentic. The dishes, which use the finest ingredients to give a modern twist to Sicilian culinary traditions, are best sampled on one of the set-price menus, which include a multi-course tasting menu (€75). The involtini di pesce spada (swordfish wrapped with cheese, sultanas, and pine nuts) is a stand-out.