This week, we had the pleasure of popping into Franzina Trattoria for a spot of Sicilian lunch! They serve up traditional Sicilian food and are extremely knowledgeable of the fine details in each of their dishes, knowing exactly what part of Sicily each dish originates. Ran by a husband and wife super team Pietro and Stefania, both were very welcoming and eager to show off their passion for bringing traditional food from their homeland to Brixton. The restaurant itself has gone through a tremendous journey, from having a humble residency at Pop Brixton, to having their own turf along Coldharbour Lane.
The selection of small plates on their menu entitled ‘Piattini’ are reminiscent of traditional sharing-style food served in Sicily. Dishes like the Schiticchio sharing plate and Ammuttunata - which are stuffed baby aubergines - are that of classic Sicilian street food. South London high streets are full of Italian restaurants that all seem to have identical menus, but at Franzina Trattoria, they take pride in their Sicilian background and how this makes their menu unique and fresh. Their dishes are a seamless blend of traditional and modern, with some recipes being traditional family creations that have been passed down through generations!
The decor is simple and gives a rustic feel of walking into a local restaurant in Sicily, accompanied by ambient music and a quaint, cosy atmosphere. There is a homely air about the restaurant, with Stefania welcoming each of the guests with open arms and a passion to entertain. We loved the large windows at the front of the restaurant, and Franzina has taken full advantage by placing seating that looks out onto the windows: a perfect opportunity to watch the world go by as you tuck in! The kitchen was open for the guests to see chef Pietro hard at work, Franzina giving a good impression of transparency with their customers that we valued.
All the pasta is handmade fresh, as well as the ice cream they serve for a sweet treat. Stefania was extremely friendly and clearly eager to run through the entire menu with us, giving nuanced details about each dish. We think this would be helpful for those that are perhaps unfamiliar with Sicilian cuisine and want to visit Franzina to step out of their culinary comfort zone. This restaurant happily invites first timers, with Stefania gladly helping customers in deciding what delights they should try.
To start the afternoon off, we treated ourselves to a glass of Grillo Brut, which is Sicily’s take on the classic prosecco! Grillo Brut is specifically from West Sicily and had a very similar taste to prosecco. However, since it uses Sicily’s own grapes, the flavour was crisp and had a sour kick, all whilst having the comforting bubbles we know and love. This made it a unique flavour you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in South London, bringing a sense of exclusivity to the drink. Almost all of the wines at Franzina originate from Sicily and all are organic. Served in a stylish martini-style glass, this was a decadent way to start the afternoon!
As a starter, we tried the Arancina Franzina, which are fried rice balls filled with gooey caciotta cheese. Served as one large ball, this was a great, starter-size portion that proved to be very versatile; whether you fancy a small snack, a starter or even want to make this dish one of many small plates to share among friends, you can do it all. The dish itself was golden and crisp on the outside, having a satisfying crunch as you cut into it, revealing intensely creamy rice and gooey caciotta cheese.
The cheese was salty and delicious, this dish proving to be another example of Franzina taking a classic Italian dish, and putting their own Sicilian spin on it. It was overall a very delicious dish that left us wanting more and had our taste buds tingling, ready for the next dish! The attention to detail continuously impressed us, as even the salt and pepper shakers on the table were from a local Silician shop that handmakes ceramics. It became increasingly clear to us that Franzina had put in a lot of effort to make this restaurant feel like a Sicilian time-capsule. It left us with a truly transportive feeling.
Next up was a dish from their specials board: the Fresh Gnocchi, served with stunning presentation that was charming, but certainly didn’t take away from the generous portion! The gnocchi was smothered in a signature sweet tomato sauce that melted in the mouth, along with the pasta tasting very fresh and soft. There was a good mix of textures still, as the Siclian hard cheese scattered atop the pasta provided a satly kick that tied in the flavours of the dish beautifully.
The sauce was rich and sweet in flavour, perfectly blended and fresh. As all of the pastas are, the gnocchi was homemade and this was clearly apparent in the texture and taste. What can sometimes be quite a stodgy and bloat-inducing dish, this gnocchi left us feeling satisfied and comfortably full. Both the starter and main dish we tried are on Franzina’s specials board, so get in the restaurant to try them whilst you have the chance!
For dessert, we treated ourselves to the Sfingette, which are Sicilian ‘doughnuts’, served with a Ricotta cream. We paired this with a smooth and creamy Latte. The sfingettes were warm and fresh, coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar which gave off a mouth-watering smell. They were light and fluffy, in perfect bite size pieces that proved a real treat. The Ricotta cream was served on the side, leaving the freedom to the customer to eat the two components separately or together - or in our case do both!
Dipping the doughnuts into the cream added a touch of indulgence to the dish. The Ricotta cream had a buttercream-like texture to it and was smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. The small details continued, as we loved the touch of having the restaurant’s logo printed onto chocolate. This cream was easily our favourite part of this dish and we were more than happy to eat it straight from the bowl! The Latte was perfectly brewed with just the right amount of coffee kick, whilst still being creamy. Those who love finishing off their meals with a hot drink will not be disappointed with Franzina’s coffee!
Overall, our visit to Franzina Trattoria was one we will likely not forget, with memorable and friendly service that is characteristic of a well-run independent - it’s one of the reasons we love to eat and shop local! Both Stefania and Pietro were approachable and clearly passionate about their restaurant and their opportunity to bring a slice of a culture they love to the people of South London. Even on a weekday afternoon, there was a steady flow of locals, with many coming in to secure their tables for the weekend. We highly recommend Franzina Trattoria, whether you fancy a lunchtime catch up with an old friend or a lively dinner, trying some unique Sicilian food, this is the place to go! If you’re lucky enough to have a South London Club card membership, you can even get 10% off!
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