Osservatorio is design, experimentation, and imagination.
It was born from an opportunity in 2021, quickly becoming a project that came to life a few months later, in May 2022. A futuristic terrace on the eighth floor of the Hotel Plaza Opéra, a four-star design hotel and twin structure to the Hotel Principe di Villafranca, just a few steps away, overlooking the rooftops of Palermo’s city center. Colors, geometries, and transparencies captured the attention of Luca D’Arpa and Marcello Leone—partners and managers of Ferramenta, one of the standout venues in the city’s historic center—who decided to believe in and invest in a different approach to dining, strongly supported by the management of The HotelSphere Hotel Collection, the group to which both hotels belong.
Osservatorio is the concept developed by Ovrll and Claudia Guarino, chosen as partners for Marketing and Communication. It aims to define an innovative space where observation — understood as a focus on innovation, attention to detail, and admiration of the landscape —is the key to experiencing something that fully meets the needs of those who wish to savor with their eyes and experiment with their taste.
The architectural project to convert the solarium of the Hotel Plaza Opéra into a convivial and dining space marked a pivotal moment in the hotel’s history. With strong support from the management, the project was overseen by Lycia and Gaia Trapani, founders of LYGA Studio, contemporary designers whose style draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and is distinguished by a bold use of color.
The kitchen is led by Ivan Spitaleri, a young Sicilian chef who, after traveling the world to discover the culinary customs and traditions of other countries, decided to return to Italy and apply the wealth of experience he gained over 12 years spent in France, the Canary Islands, India, Thailand, and Costa Rica. Observing traditional Sicilian cuisine through the techniques, ingredients, and processes of other gastronomic cultures is the concept behind his cooking. The menu is designed to appeal to those who appreciate Mediterranean dishes but are also ready to explore a melting pot cuisine that observes and experiments.
There are approximately 140 labels on the wine list curated by Francesco Di Leonardo, wine manager at Osservatorio and Ferramenta, in collaboration with team sommelier Barbara Boccia. Wine, which plays a fundamental role in the kitchen, has been carefully selected to enhance the dishes on the menu and to transport the mind and palate on a journey of discovery, showcasing gems from regions renowned for viticulture. The wine list has an international profile, with a particular focus on Italy and France, while maintaining a strong connection to Sicily, where the Etna DOC has become a prestigious production area on the global stage.
The crown jewel of Osservatorio is undoubtedly its mixology, which, thanks to the expertise of our bartenders, plays a central role in pairing with menu dishes and tapas for aperitifs. Observation is also the core concept behind the preparation of various cocktails, with a menu designed to highlight innovative ingredients, cutting-edge techniques, and unexpected flavors. The selection of high-quality products, from spirits to liqueurs, the use of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and the ongoing exchange of ideas between bartenders who experiment with different textures and techniques, all contribute to creating new offerings. The mission is to provide an experience that leaves a lasting impression on those who visit , whether they choose to experiment or simply seek advice on a classic drink.
Book your table at Osservatorio calling 091 6118523 or writing to info@principedivillafranca.it.
