The hunt for authentic granita led me to Iddu and what a discovery! The cafe serving exceptional Sicilian food is the brainchild of successful restaurateur Luca del Bono who was born on Lipari, one of the Aeolian islands, and brings huge passion to the venture. Almost all the ingredients are sourced from Sicily and the emphasis is on healthier takes of traditional dishes interpreted by chef Martina Zanini. So caponata has baked rather than fried aubergine that brings out the flavour beautifully with plenty of capers from Pantelleria and there’s tuna tartare with wild fennel pesto to start. Mesmerising mains are simple yet bursting with sunshine and flavour: taglioni with pistachio from Bronte that are vibrantly green and taste incredible especially accented with a little concentrated bottarga (dried and smoked cod’s roe). There’s swordfish involtini too – paper thin rolls of fish with orange, parsley and rosemary that sings of summer. Granita made on the premise is superlative: try pistachio, lemon or watermelon: refreshing and sophisticated. Save room too for cannoli (divine fried rolls of pastry with goat’s cheese ricotta) served with tiny bowls of pistachio, chocolate from Modica and almonds. There’s a mostly Sicilian wine list. Decor is blue and orange to encapsulate the sea and sun with tables made from Etna lava and tiled, copper lamps and masses of pictures of the Aeolian islands. It makes one want to book a flight straightaway.
44 Harrington Rd, SW7 3ND 0207 589 1991 www.iddulondon.com