Wealth & Finance International - January 2017

59 January 2017 Food for Thought ish by dish, Donna Margherita serves the most authentic fla- vours. They use centuries old Neapolitan cucina techniques to serve you the bellissimo dishes of southern Italy. A really good authentic Italian restaurant is a rare treat, so if it’s consistently full of Italians, you know you’re in for something great. Founded in 2003, Donna Margherita has now refined the menu, focus- ing on using only the highest quality ingredients, many of which are free range, organically sourced and imported from southern Italy. They constantly receive positive feedback on both the food and staff. They’re currently in the top three pizzerias in London on TripAdvisor which they are indeed very proud of. The menu consists of a range of appetisers and antipasto: juicy beef meatballs in a homemade tomato and parmesan sauce, a selection of bruschetta including smoked buffalo mozzarella with aubergines and cherry tomatoes, steamed mussels with fresh lemon juice and cracked black pepper and a large selection of the finest Italian cured meats and fresh cheeses. For main courses, there is much to choose from including fresh pasta dishes (gluten free options are also available) include O’Spagett Donna Margherita, which is authentic unique recipe, combining Italian cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Meat dishes range from grass fed fillet carpaccio and charcoal grilled Italian style homemade Dingley Dell pork sausages. Fish courses include whole sea bass in a crazy water with garlic, white wine and cherry tomatoes, homemade pasta O’Sccialatiell Ro’re Ferdinando and A’Linguin with fresh lobster. Then there are the famous pizzas, flying in many ingredients from Na- ples the pizzas are handcrafted using Esposito’s cucina method. From 1889 Naples became the pizza capital of the world. The menu ranges from the classic Margherita to Porchetta which marries succulent pork belly with fresh Italian mozzarella, provoke cheese and aubergines. They have also recently, after Dan Lepard said we created the near perfect pizza and thirteen years developing a unique recipe at Donna Margherita, launched the first ever type 1 flour pizza which is healthier than the usual type 00 flour, rich in protein, aids easier digestion and has a natural taste of wheat – with the added benefit of Himalayan pink salt which has 84 minerals which help detoxify the body. People are more and more interested in a healthier lifestyle and Donna Margherita wanted to create a pizza which their customers are able to enjoy, full of flavour yet still remaining healthy to eat. They are currently the only ones in London offering this and have had a fantastic response to it since they launched the product late last year. Gabriele Vitale, Owner and founder, is passionate about his home city of Naples and what he believes to be its greatest gift to the world — unsurpassed culinary heritage. Ever since he entered Italian catering college as a boy of 14, Gabriele has cooked, learned and absorbed the best from his mentor-chefs and other food professionals. Consistency and authenticity are paramount among Gabriele’s foodie obsessions and he is devoted to his homeland’s spirit of enthusiasm, warmth and loyalty; what Gabriele proudly calls “Italian-style charm and enjoyment-of-life”. He now has an operations role teaching and training his team, developing new recipes and sourcing the best produce. Looking to the future, 2017 is all about expansion. Vitale would love to expand the business by gaining some new investors. The plan is to go to the next level and open a second sister restaurant in London. Company: Donna Margherita Italian restaurant and pizzeria Name: Gabriele Vitale - Owner Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.donna-margherita.com Address: 183 Lavender Hill, SW11 5TE Telephone: +44 (0)207 228 2660 Donna Margherita is an authentic Italian restaurant, which serves traditional Neapolitan food with a modern twist and is dedicated to southern Italy’s spirit of passion, warmth and loyalty. D 1701WF31