Johannesburg – Italian cuisine is globally celebrated for its flour-dusted pizzas and perfectly al dente pasta, but to limit it to carbohydrates is to overlook one of the most ancient and respected culinary traditions in the Mediterranean: the art of the macellaio (butcher).
Returning for its third year due to overwhelming demand, Settebello’s iconic La Ciccia dining experience is back with a bold new chapter titled “The Butcher’s Table”, a carefully curated nine-course feast celebrating the art of Italian meat cooking and the generations-old traditions that surround it.
This exclusive event is a love letter to the Italian countryside, where meat is revered, slow-cooked to perfection, and served with the respect that only generations of tradition can command.
“La Ciccia” loosely translates to “meat” or “the good stuff” in Italian slang, and this year’s experience dives headfirst into the indulgent, rustic, and deeply comforting flavours that define many of Italy’s most beloved regional dishes.
The La Ciccia experience features a unique family-style seating arrangement.
Designed to bring guests together, approximately 50 diners will share a communal table where a delicious spread of dishes, sides, and wines is served.
This mirrors traditional Italian family gatherings, bringing a unique experience to diners.
The nine-course experience has been designed to take diners on a journey through texture, flavour, and regional influence, beginning with whipped lard drizzled with honey and chilli on mini bruschette, accompanied by a selection of cured meats.
From there, guests move through dishes including delicate beef carpaccio with rocket and Parmesan shavings, crispy supplì filled with slow-braised red wine beef, and handmade agnolotti finished in burnt butter and sage before a refreshing lemon sorbet palate cleanser resets the senses.
The experience continues with a deeply comforting slow-cooked ossobuco served alongside creamy risotto, followed by grilled lamb chop with layered potato and rosemary jus, pork belly paired with fennel and orange salad, and finally the dramatic centrepiece of the evening, a fire-grilled Florentina steak designed for sharing and celebration.
Dessert arrives in the form of a classic semifreddo, bringing the feast to a smooth and elegant close.
“People often think Italian cuisine is only pizza, pasta and tomatoes,” says Pino Di Benedetto, co-owner of Settebello.
“But Italy has an incredible meat culture rooted in family traditions, regional recipes, and simple ingredients treated with care and respect.
“La Ciccia allows us to showcase that side of Italian food in a way that feels authentic, indulgent, and memorable.”
For co-owner Ramiro “Miro” Marques, the return of La Ciccia reflects a growing appetite among diners for immersive food experiences that go beyond trends.
“There’s something emotional and nostalgic about this style of dining,” says Marques.
“It’s generous, it’s social, and it tells a story.
“Our aim with the La Ciccia experience is to get diners to feel like sitting around a table in Italy with family and friends, sharing incredible food slowly over conversation, wine, and laughter.”
Over the past three years, La Ciccia has become one of Settebello’s most anticipated culinary experiences, attracting diners eager to explore a more traditional and often overlooked side of Italian cuisine.
At a time when global dining trends increasingly favour authenticity, craftsmanship and storytelling, Settebello’s La Ciccia experience offers something refreshingly timeless: honest food made with patience, technique and heart.
La Ciccia will be available for a limited number of sittings.
Bookings are essential and can be made via Settebello’s website or by contacting the restaurant directly.
Settebello’s La Ciccia evenings, featuring a nine-course meal, will take place once a month and are priced at R950 per person.
These exclusive evenings are scheduled for the last Thursday of every month.
The first event will take place on 23 July, followed by additional evenings on 20 August, 17 September, 22 October, and 26 November 2026.
Bookings are essential and can be made via email at eat@settebello.co.za or by calling 010 035 5207.
For more information about Settebello and “La Ciccia,” please visit www.settebello.co.za and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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