Tuna
“Norma” being the local Sicilian term for aubergine pasta, somehow adopted from the title of Bellini’s opera of that name. Needless to say this was on the menu, along with various other Sicilian specialities; arancini and cannoli, natch.
It’s a stylish and comfy dining room over two floors, lots of amber lighting, polished surfaces and plush golden-brown velvety seats. Service was excellent, but at a distinctly Sicilian pace (3.5 hours for six of us to eat three courses).
Aubergine
For main course my aubergine parmigiana was about as good as this monster of grilled cheese and aubergine can ever get. Every mouthful was soft, tomatoey aubergine and tangy cheese sauce with nicely burnt edges, and although my arteries may have been squeaking a little in complaint I ignored them and devoured it all. Maureen’s skate wing with nduja butter was also declared nice enough, but the skate was a little overcooked. For pudding I enjoyed some very lovely date fritters, a bit like pastry ravioli filled with a sticky-spicy date filling, served with luscious ice cream and flaked almonds.
Norma is probably going to be £55 each for dinner, before drinks, and the price reflects a rather classy venue as well as excellent cooking. Couldn’t call it a bargain, but it’s worth a visit for a belt-bursting taste of Sicily.
Date
