Getting to know new people by inviting them around for dinner is a tradition that Sicilians have perfected over many generation. Simple dishes that draw on local produce, lovingly prepared, and all washed down with wines from the sun-drenched Sicilian vineyards. Of course, when we talk about local Sicilian produce we have to include all the wonderful ingredients introduced to the island; Sicily’s location meant it was visited by boats from Greece and North Africa in its commercial heyday as well as being an export hub for goods from the rest of Italy and beyond.
You’ll find a full range of Sicilian delicacies on offer at the South Kensington Club’s eatery IDDU, and no small measure of convivial Sicilian hospitality besides. The private members’ club in London has opened a neighbourhood incontro (meeting place) under the guidance of founder Luca Del Bono, Francesca D’Amico (chef) and Andrea Bassi (manager). All three have Sicilian blood running through their veins, so an authentic experience is guaranteed. Opt for an al fresco café experience at the front of IDDU, or if the weather misbehaves there’s a corresponding corner of café tables inside amid shelves of freshly-baked bread and pastries. A terracotta banquette stretching the length of the back wall accommodates larger parties. The rustic wooden counter in a crisp white, the timber floor and vintage-feel light fittings give IDDU a pleasing elegance that’s matched by art school-trained D’Amico’s attractive dishes.
