From Clapham to Kingston
On Monday the 18th of October the family-run restaurant Eco opened its doors to their new Kingston venue, following plans to expand across the capital.
Since 1993 the ‘relaxed, neighbourhood restaurant’ in Clapham has allowed locals to experience authentic Italian cuisine firsthand, including homegrown sourdough pizzas. Now, founder Sami Wasif is looking forward to reaching a whole new audience in South West London.
Sami has spent 30 years perfecting his dough recipe, experimenting with all elements until it was just how he wanted it. However, he admits that perfection isn’t something that is achievable when making dough, with changes in the moon, water and even the hands that make it, contributing to a slight difference in taste every day.
Alongside fresh-out-the-oven fermented sourdough pizza, Eco’s guests has the chance to enjoy delicately crafted pasta dishes as well as an array of other traditional Italian recipes. The restaurant’s menu also boasts an extensive selection of cocktails to be tasted by over-18s. Those with a sweet tooth won’t be disappointed as the menu is packed full of Italian favourites such as Tiramisu and Affogato.
Accessibility has long remained a key value of founder Sami in the development of Eco, and this continues to show in the new venue’s reasonable pricing.
In Kingston Eco is situated next to the River Thames, introducing even more history to this ancient market town. The family-run restaurant stands out among the various chain eateries currently available along the riverside.
The name ‘Eco’ was inspired by Italian author and professor, Umberto Eco: a film based on one of his novels, ‘The Name of a Rose’, was playing next door at The Clapham Picture House during Eco’s establishment.
Born in Beni Suef, Egypt, Sami grew up surrounded by culinary craftsmanship. His grandfather, Gerges, was praised locally for his expertise in sourdough making, a skill he passed down generationally. Today, Sami honours his roots by incorporating traditional Egyptian sourdough into authentic Italian recipes, serving one of the most remarkable sourdoughs London has to offer.
