It’s often believed that to experience authentic cuisine from the country of its origin one must actually go there. In the case of Tunisian restaurant Sidi Bou London, located in the heart of Ealing, there is no need to hop on a plane because it brings authentic Tunisian cuisine straight to your table.
Named after a picturesque town in northern Tunisia, Sidi Bou Said is located about 20 km from the capital, Tunis and is known for its extensive use of blue and white. I’ve never been to Tunisia but judging by the décor and pictures that adorn the walls of this restaurant, it has all the feels of a Mediterranean town (glimpses of Santorini spring to mind) so it comes as no surprise that Tunisian cuisine is heavily influenced by Mediterranean flavours and ingredients.
Alhough Tunisia shares the same continent as Morocco, it’s worlds apart with its food and unless you’ve eaten at Sidi Bou London, you won’t have tried Tunisian food anywhere else in the country. Why? Because Sidi Bou London is the only Tunisian restaurant and market in the UK.
Dining here goes beyond feeding hungry bellies. Opened four years ago, this cosy and intimate family run restaurant has been attracting diners from all over the world and recently picked up an award as one of the top three restaurants at the Ealing Restaurant Awards 2019.
Sidi Bou London is owned and run by the Tunisian mother and son team of Amina Hamdi, who is the Chef and Hatem Kareem, who serves front of house, respectively. Chances are you will meet Hatem who takes the time to explain the menu and give you a helpful insight into the history of Tunisian food and its culture.
What’s the first thing you should know about Tunisian cuisine? It’s spicy, with the scale ranging from mild to ‘Tunisian’. Something tells me it’s not a wise idea to go straight for Tunisian and instead to approach things gradually by teasing the taste buds with the subtle flavour and spices infused in its dishes.
The best introduction is a mezze of starters to share. We were served Spicy Hummus (which was divine), Tunisian salad (diced tomato, cucumber, red onion, radish, mint), Ommik Houreya (steamed organic carrots, cumin, garlic, homemade harissa), Merguez (spicy lamb sausages) with freshly baked baguette, and the classic Tunisian dish of Breek A L’Ouef, a light pancake, made of filo pastry and filled with free range egg, potato, parsley, capers and cheese). Between two people these appetisers were very filling and the pancake in particular was superb. Delicate filo pastry with a surprise filling in the middle (and a runny yoke, which is always a winner in my books).
This was followed by a main dish to share again – a traditional slow cooked Tunisian stew of chicken, artichoke, peas and parsley in a tomato sauce with a side of white rice. Alternatively couscous can be ordered and I am told it’s totally different to the Moroccan take.
The meal was rounded off with some Makroudh, a subtly sweet pastry filled with dates and almond paste coupled with mint tea and floating pine nuts. It was the perfect anecdote for a rainy and miserable Sunday afternoon.
The use of quality and fresh ingredients is key to the food Sidi Bou London serves. A large range is imported directly from Tunisia (including dates and olive oil which are from the produce grown at the family’s fields there) whilst the vegetables are from their home garden in London. Due to these conditions and the capacity of the restaurant, it is strongly recommended to pre-book a table and to pre-order any dishes marked with an asterisk to ensure availability. Also be prepared to wait because freshly prepared food requires time and attention to detail.
It’s worth noting Sidi Bou London operates a BYOB policy (corkage applies) and caters well for vegetarians, vegans, lactose free and gluten free diets. The meat is entirely halal too. To see more of its menu and to make a reservation, visit www.sidiboulondon.co.uk.
Sidi Bou London is situated at 44 Haven Green, Ealing, London W5 2NX (Tel: 020 8998 7998), and is easy to get to by bus. It is also a short stroll from Ealing Broadway station (TfL Rail, central and district line).
*My visit to Sidi Bou London was complimentary for review purposes but my words and opinion are entirely my own.
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