Meet Our Flavour Team

The smoky smell of vegetables slowly roasting over a grill as our cousins hunch over on stools, and fan the flames patiently...the sound of embers popping and crackling underneath. After the vegetables cool, the skins are peeled to reveal tender, juicy delights ready to be drizzled in olive oil. Nothing symbolizes summer in Tunisia more than slata mechouia.

One of the tastiest traditional Tunisian street foods is delicious, deep-fried bread,  made from leavened dough, in our case, with added sourdough. It can be enjoyed on its own or with various toppings. This fried bread is also widely known and very popular in Central and Eastern Europe, where it is called "Langosh".

The true essence of Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine lies in its vibrant and aromatic spices. From the sun-drenched coasts of the Mediterranean to the bustling markets of the Middle East, we celebrate the warmth of coriander with its bright, citrusy notes, the earthy embrace of cumin, and the sweet, vibrant hues of paprika. You'll also discover the comforting depth of cinnamon, a staple in both savoury and sweet dishesThese cherished spices, nurtured through generations, are the secret behind our authentic tastes, meticulously balanced to create the rich, complex, and utterly irresistible flavours you've come to love from Via della Vita. Each spice tells a story, a whisper of ancient traditions and sun-kissed lands. They are the backbone of our authentic recipes, transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary flavour journeys.

Dried chillies are first ground then seasoned with caraway, salt and minced fresh garlic to obtain the Arabic Harissa which is an absolute authentic grandma’s recipe. It is a crucial element in every North African kitchen cupboard. It is usually added to all of these countries’ main savoury dishes and famous recipes. This nicely homemade traditional hot paste full of delightful flavours is fundamental to spice up your soups and sauces.

One of the ways to truly understand what Tunisian flavours are all about is to give a HUGE bite into a great Tunisian fricassé roll. These traditional Tunisian rolls are made from leavened dough, again in our case, added sourdough, and if you don’t think this is comforting enough, they are also deep-fried!!! Fricassés are usually stuffed with tuna, olives, harissa, potatoes…. In other words, a combo of flavours that is pure Tunisian goodness.

Allow us to introduce you to Libera, the lively soul of our sourdough at viadellavita.uk! We carefully nurtured her from humble beginnings in October 2022, and she's been bubbling with personality ever since. Libera is the very heart of our sourdough's magic – responsible for its distinctive tang, its incredible aroma, and that perfectly airy, chewy crumb. She represents our dedication to crafting authentic, naturally leavened bread, nurtured with care and patience. When you taste our sourdough, you're tasting the vitality and history of Libera, baked fresh just for you.

A spicy sausage that originated in North Africa and the Middle East, and is traditionally made from lamb or mutton, we make ours from lamb and beef. It's typically long and thin, and is often seasoned with harissa and toasted cumin. We`ll put our own spin on it and serve it up in the shape of meatballs.

You can smell it walking down the street in Sidi Bou Said, La Marsa, or any medina of Tunisia. The bambalouni is a fried circle of dough, like an empty shell of a donut, covered in sugar. When it is warm and fresh out of the fryer, it is spectacular.

So we`ve introduced you to our "flavour heroes"... These incredible ingredients and time-honored recipes are the very building blocks of viadellavita.uk. And who brings them all together? That would be us, Hatem and Lydia.