Prego

Within moments my concern of a rushed lunch had been put to rest. The demeanour and attitude of the staff had told me I shouldn’t worry, that I should take a deep breath and soak up the alleviative atmosphere. We were all too keen to get on board with that, so instead of choosing what we wanted to eat, we let Rosario and his team take care of us. I only had one request – I wanted to be reminded of my holidays to Sicily. “Grazie” I then said, calling upon my limited Italian. Just as I suspected, I was then met with my most favourite of Italian words: “Prego.”

In its simplest form Prego means “you’re welcome”, but to a native Italian, its meanings are almost endless. It can mean anything from “can I help you?” to “please, enjoy yourself”, depending on the context, and it is certainly not limited to culinary scenarios. The word is a term of endearment between strangers, friends and family, and is a way to signify that the other person has your attention and respect. If a smile could be expressed as a word, it would be Prego. In this particular context, it told me that what I was about to eat would be thoroughly authentic.

The meal started with a glass of Valpolicella; a sweet and light-bodied red wine that pleasantly complimented the first course. Italian food’s homely style gives it a tendency to look delicious however it is presented, but I could tell from the antipasti that we were served how much care and attention had gone into it. Typical Italian delicacies were nestled neatly beside slightly more uncommon Sicilian treats such as the panella (chickpea fritters), the caponata (stewed aubergine salad) and the most sumptuous of Sicilian comfort foods: the arancini. Translating to “little orange”, an arancini is a small ball of rice stuffed traditionally with a ragu sauce, which is then fried in breadcrumbs to give it a golden-orange colour. All of the antipasti components were, quite simply, delicious.

“If a smile could be expressed as a word, it would be ‘Prego’

The next course was just as delicious, and had a flair that complimented its traditional style. The Linguine con Sarde was a perfectly cooked pasta with the seaside saltiness of sardines and the earthy kick of wild fennel pesto. This was accompanied by a glass of the distinctively Sicilian Nero d’Avola. This wine tasted smooth and sweet like the Valpolicella, but had a more robust flavour that matched the rich taste of the pesto perfectly.

I was almost ready to call it a day, having been filled to the brim with delicious food, but when offered a dessert I realised that one does not think of Sicilian food without thinking of gelato. I felt like a kid at Christmas when we were served my favourite flavour: nocciola (hazelnut). As an extra treat, the staff presented us with a mini dessert platter that included a panna cotta, a tiramisu and a cannoli – regarded as the definitive Sicilian pastry. Each dessert tasted different, but all felt part of the same concept, delectable yet simple.

This was reflective of my whole experience at Olivelli, where the food was impressive enough to make my taste-buds take note, but simple and homely enough that it never got in the way of good conversation. I realised that this is the essence of Italian food and culture; good ingredients and great food is a given, and without the spectacle of say, French cuisine, the dishes compliment an atmosphere in which everybody enjoys themselves and everybody is made to feel welcome. We felt so at home, in fact, that we lost track of time after talking to Rosario and his staff about everything from wine to the weekend’s football.

Thanks to the food and the friendliness of the staff, I spent the entire time in Olivelli remembering what it felt like to be in the warm air of Palermo and Catania. It was finally time to leave, and my request to be taken back to Sicily had been thoroughly granted.

Olivelli
61 The Cut
SE1 8LL
t: 020 7261 1221
w: www.ristoranteolivelli.co.uk

• Prego An irresistible attitude to food and hospitality at Olivelli
  by Joe Campbell | Category: Food&Drink
• a world of FEASTING Food for the season at home and abroad
  by Grace McCloud | Category: Food&Drink
• LOCANDA del Melo Fine Foods Deli on Long Lane opens its doors for restaurant dining too
  Category: Food&Drink
• A bit of SPARKLE A look inside the methods and qualities of our favourite glasses of fizz
  by Lauren Marriner | Category: Food&Drink
• winter SPECIALS January deals to enjoy when the Christmas party is over
  Category: Food&Drink
• not a MULTIPLE CHOICE The 'Women Fashion Power' exhibition showcases at the Design Museum
  by Jessica Cusack | Category: Style
• SHARE the secrets The Lounge Hair Salon is a great place to discover the secrets of good hair-care
  by Jessica Cusack | Category: Style
• the winter in BLOOM From beautiful Lillies to Valentines Roses, the sweet scent of flowers can last all year long
  by Lauren Marriner | Category: Style
• GLAD again Revisiting an old haunt, and an old style of music
  by Owen Rice | Category: Culture
• FAIRYTALES for young and old Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales return in an immersive storytelling experience
  Category: Culture
• Entertainments Listings Winter seasons listings
  Category: Culture
• a true INSPIRATION The 'Inspiring Women' Campaign stopped off in SE1 to talk to girls about their career potential
  Category: Education
• competition winner: TANGLED A Short Story
  by Chris Underwood | Category: For The Soul
• DREAM Homes A new feature, looking at homes for lottery-winners and oligarchs
  Category: Property
• VISITING Clapham North Taking a walk through South London's 'village by the short hill'
  by Grace McCloud | Category: Property