Bar da Franco is located in an enviable spot in Santo Stefano di Camastra, overlooking a lovely tree-lined avenue that invites you to stop for a refreshing break. We sat at the outdoor tables, ready to test their pistachio granita.
Visual impact and tasting
As soon as it arrives at the table, the visual impact is immediate: the color is a bright green, almost fluorescent, which clearly signals a heavy use of food coloring. Usually, when we see this shade, we expect the classic almond aftertaste or chemical aromas, but the surprise here (partially positive) is that that flaw is absent.
However, while the nose is spared, the palate remains puzzled. The pistachio flavor is average: you can taste it, but it doesn't stand out with the naturalness or intensity we look for. There is a note of sweetness that is a bit too present in the aftertaste; it doesn't go as far as being cloying, but it feels a bit heavy, taking away that freshness that should be the hallmark of a good granita.
Our advice: go for the mulberry
If you are a fan of pure pistachio, you might be disappointed here despite the absence of unpleasant artificial flavors. In our opinion, it is much better to opt for the mulberry (gelsi): we found them pleasant and with a superior fruit intensity, although honestly, we wouldn't rank them among the top granite we've tasted in the province.
The product isn't unpleasant, but the pistachio fails to make its mark, hidden by excessive sweetness and a color that promises more than it delivers.
Bar da Franco, Santo Stefano di Camastra (ME).
