PRESS PACK March 2013
Press Information Nicky Clarke / Laura Hadfield 020 7436 1111 [email protected] / [email protected] UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN: TUSCANIC IMPORTS REGIONAL ITALY TO LONDON TOWN
Merenda (plural merende) Noun A snack (usually an afternoon snack), a break A reward
Tuscanic, a tucked-away deli-café, transports the long-forgotten tradition of merende – a snack favoured by older-generation Italians – to Old Compton Street. Stylish but understated, the Soho space showcases a well-curated edit of its namesake region with an emphasis on genuine, quality ingredients combined with warm, open-armed Mediterranean service.
Café Simplicity is key with the menu. Soups (£6) – served in rustic, handmade terracotta bowls – are hearty and healthy and include classics such as pappa al pomodoro (tomato & bread) and ribollita (mixed vegetables & bread).
The charcuterie board (£9/14) provides the perfect showcase for a range of premium beef and pork cuts from bresaola to salty prosciutto and is accompanied by springy, hourly-baked focaccia and breadsticks. Must-try meats include the semi-wild Macelleria Falaschi grigio and Mortadella di Prato, Slow Food-protected pork cooked in Alchermes – a traditional Tuscan liqueur made from sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla.
No less appetising is the cheese board (£12/18), a selection of only the most delicious dairy where, naturally, pecorino di fossa is the star of the show.
Plump paninis are also available, with top-end, Tuscan-style sandwiches stuffed with authentic ingredients such as salami, porchetta and mozzarella. Gone are the days of lunch in a cardboard box from an identikit chain: designed to be savoured, these are sandwiches with soul.
Fresh, seasonal vegetable-laden pizzas and crostones topped with roasted pork, caprino and artichokes are featured, too. And although there’s a slant towards savoury, merende also extends to sweet and Tuscanic’s offering is a treat: whether the dark, decadent gluten-free Torta Pistocchi or a boozy cantucci and vinsanto, dessert is by no means a sideline.
As expected, the clientele is a cosmopolitan crowd of discerning diners from sharply-dressed business types stealing a quiet moment alone with an espresso to groups of chattering, chicly-dressed friends catching up over a charcuterie board and glass of Chianti. So join them and drop in for a slice of something as Soho strolls by outside or grab something quick, delicious and simple to go from the counter.
Vino But what good is premium produce without something fruity or crisp to enjoy with it? Tuscanic’s wine list is small but perfectly formed, with no more than a dozen of the region’s best bottles all available by the glass: aside from the perquisite Chianti Classico DOCG Candialle (£35), oenophiles can swill the likes of a floweryAllodio IGT Bianco Podere San Michele (£25), an intense Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella (£45), and celebratory spirits such as Grappa di Chianti (£35). Enjoy with friends, a loved one, or better yet, alone with nothing but thoughts and a glass for company. Deli The shelves at Tuscanic positively groan with artisan produce painstakingly sourced from small specialist producers, farmers and growers. Imported directly from Tuscany and exclusive to Tuscanic in the UK, products include perfect pastas such as the maccheroni di Toscana – made from premium hard wheat semola and air-died at low temperatures – which can be teamed with a variety of sauces made from traditional recipes.
Other signatures include verna bread made using Tuscan millstone flour and antipasti – including semi-dried cherry tomatoes, olives and zolfino white beans – in addition to spicy, robust oils, vinegars, artisanal spreads, coffee blends and infusions.
Disegno Everything in the stripped-back space has been carefully designed by Tuscanic’s Italian owners and imported directly from their homeland. The graniglia floor – made from leftover marble grains – recreates the look and feel of native Tuscan cafés; the tables and chairs are made with the grape-stained interiors of recycled wine barrels whilst the counter is made from their exteriors; and the walls are white and uncluttered save for a series of black-and-white photographs of traditional Tuscan foods. With the décor kept simple, the food is very much the focus.
Tuscanic: offering a genuine, quality Tuscan food experience in the heart of Soho.
Tuscanic 72 Old Compton Street London, W1D 4UN
www.tuscanic.com [email protected] www.facebook.com/tuscanic www.twitter.com/Tuscanic_London
NOTES TO EDITORS Issued on behalf of Tuscanic by Roche Communications. For more information, contact: Nicky Clarke/Laura Hadfield on 020 7436 1111 or email [email protected] or [email protected] FACT SHEET
Address: Tuscanic, 72 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4UN
Telephone: 020 3659 9243
Website: www.tuscanic.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tuscanic_London
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tuscanic
Opening Times: 12-pm-11.30pm Mon-Thurs; 12pm-12am weekends, bank holidays
Covers: 35
Reservations Policy: Weekdays only
Average Spend: £10-15
Dress Code: Casual
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road
Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, AmEx MENU - food
L’AFFETTATO £9/14 Small or big selection of Tuscan cured meats served on a wooden tray with a basket of assorted bread, focaccia and breadsticks (Extra basket £1.50)
IL CACIO £12/18 Small or big selection of Tuscan cheeses served on a wooden tray with a basket of assorted bread, focaccia and breadsticks (Extra basket £1.50)
IL MISTO £10.50/16 Small or big selection of Tuscan cured meats and cheeses served on a wooden tray with a basket of assorted bread, focaccia and breadsticks (Extra basket £1.50)
IL PANINO £6 Tuscan style focaccia made of white or wholewheat flour, stuffed with cured meats, cheeses and vegetables (Extra cheese or meat £1) Raw ham, fresh tomato, olive oil • Salami, pecorino cheese, rocket leaves • Finocchiona, artichokes, olive oil • Porchetta, lemon slices, rocket leaves • Fresh sausage, aubergines, olive oil • Bresaola, ricotta cheese, rocket leaves • Mozzarella, fresh tomato, basil
LA PIZZA £4 Tuscan style pizza garnished with vegetables (Extra cheese or meat £1) Potatoes • Courgettes • Fresh tomato
IL CROSTONE £7 Toasted slice of bread topped with a combination of cured meats, cheeses, vegetables and Tuscan style spreads Pecorino cheese, roasted pork, artichokes • Caprino cheese, raw ham, fresh tomato • Tomino cheese, bacon, rocket leaves • Stracchino cheese, fresh sausage • Scamorza cheese, fresh tomato, oregano
LE INSALATE £6 Green mixed salad and toasted bread chops served in handmade terracotta pottery Pecorino cheese, pear • Tuna fillets, mozzarella • Semidried cherry tomatoes, olives • Raw ham chops, apple • Ricotta cheese, anchovies
I PIATTI £9 Traditional combinations served on plates with a basket of assorted bread, focaccia and breadsticks Mozzarella, fresh tomato, semidried cherry tomatoes • Bresaola, rocket leaves, fossa pecorino cheese • Chianina beef tartare, greens
LE ZUPPE £6 Traditional vegetarian Tuscan soups served in handmade terracotta pottery Mixed vegetables and bread soup • Tomato and bread soup • Onion soup • Chickpea and tomato soup
I COCCI £10 4 different types of Tuscan appetisers served in traditional handmade terracotta pottery and presented on wooden tray with a basket of assorted bread, focaccia and breadsticks Olives £2.50 • Spicy sausages £2.50 • Fossa pecorino cheese £2.50 • Liver spread £2.50
IL DOLCE £5 Traditional Tuscan tarts, cakes, biscuits Tiramisù • Ricotta cheese mousse • Pistocchi chocolate cake • Cantucci biscuits and holy wine • Seasonal fruit in red wine MENU - drink L’ACQUA £2/3 Small or big bottle of Tuscan water
I SUCCHI £4 Tuscan fruit juices Apricot • Peach • Pear • Apple • Strawberry
IL CAFFE’ £2.50 Espresso • Macchiato
IL CAPPUCCINO £3 Cappuccino • Latte • Double espresso • Americano
IL TE’ E LE TISANE £3.50 Teas and infusions English breakfast • Earl grey • Gunpowder • Bancha • Camomile • Liquorice and fennel • Mint and verveine
PRODUCTS
La via del tè Panificio Caponi Caseificio Nuovo Firenze (FI) Pontedera (PI) Poggibonsi (SI) TEA PASTA CHEESES
Forno Moderno Pasta Martelli Macelleria Fracassi Certaldo (FI) Lari (PI) Rassina (AR) SWEETS PASTA CURED MEATS La casa di caccia Panificio Menchetti Terre dello zolfino Castagneto Carducci (LI) Cesa Marciano della Chiana Terranuova Bracciolini (FI) SAUCES (AR) VEGETABLES BREAD Le piantagioni del caffè San Felice Frantoio di Santa Tea Livorno (LI) Pistoia (PT) Reggello (FI) COFFEE WATER OIL AND VINAGRE Osteria de Ciotti Famiglia Desideri Torta Pistocchi Tavole (PO) Chiesina Uzzanese (PT) Firenze (FI) SOUPS SWEETS CHOCOLATE Branchetti biscotti Ilaria Bottoni Macelleria Falaschi Prato (PO) Castiglione della Pescaia (GR) San Miniato (PI) SWEETS FRUIT AND VEGETABLES CURED MEATS Victory Montelupo (PO) CHOCOLATE