🌿 Why Mediterranean, Why Plant-Forward: The Philosophy Behind Sicilian NQ

At Sicilian NQ, we’re often asked what makes our menu so different. It’s not just that we draw from Sicilian tradition. It’s how we reinterpret that tradition—through a modern, conscious lens that emphasizes plants, sustainability, and respect for ingredients.

We’re not fully vegan, nor strictly traditional. We’re plant-forward, inspired by the Mediterranean way of eating, where vegetables take center stage, and seafood and cheese appear in respectful moderation.

Our philosophy is simple: cook with purpose, serve with soul, and honor Sicily’s rich culture with integrity.

🍆 Sicily Was Always Plant-First

Sicilian cuisine has always celebrated seasonal vegetables, legumes, grains, wild herbs, and olive oil. Historically, meat was rare, and most dishes were naturally vegetarian or dairy-based—if not fully plant-based.

Think of:

• Caponata with eggplants, olives, capers, and vinegar

• Panelle (chickpea fritters) in sesame rolls

• Pasta with wild fennel and breadcrumbs instead of cheese

• Almond granita and citrus salads

These dishes were born from scarcity, not luxury. And that’s what makes them timeless. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the Mediterranean diet is still one of the healthiest and most sustainable in the world—thanks to its plant foundation.

🌍 A Conscious Mediterranean Kitchen

We embrace the principles of the Mediterranean diet as defined by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage listing:

• A focus on vegetables, grains, pulses, fruits, herbs, and olive oil

• A lifestyle that values social connection and respect for seasonality

• A reduced dependence on meat and industrialized foods

At Sicilian NQ, you’ll find:

• No red meat or poultry

• Plenty of vegetable-led dishes

• Occasional dairy, such as ricotta and mascarpone

• Some responsibly sourced seafood, like clams, mussels, and scallops—choices some consider ethically acceptable within a bivalve-based semi-vegan model

• No processed substitutes—just real food, made with care

We’re not here to define veganism. We’re here to cook responsibly, deliciously, and honestly.

🐚 So Why Not Fully Vegan?

Because we don’t believe in dogma. We believe in choice, context, and quality.

We understand that some vegans choose to eat bivalves due to current research suggesting they may lack sentience. Others avoid them entirely. We respect both positions and make our menu clear so guests can decide what aligns with their values.

For example, our ricotta-based desserts or shellfish pastas are always labeled—and are served alongside fully plant-based options like:

• Our Alcohol-Free Babà

• Chickpea Panelle and Arancini

• Pistachio desserts from Bronte

• Sicilian wines made with native grapes

We’re transparent, inclusive, and focused on flavor.

🧑🍳 What We Stand For

We don’t chase trends. We go back to Sicily’s culinary heart:

• Flavor over fuss

• Simplicity over spectacle

• Generosity over ego

Whether you’re vegan, flexitarian, pescatarian or simply curious, we offer a Mediterranean menu that’s accessible, ethical, and rooted in tradition.

Because in the end, this isn’t about perfection—it’s about pleasure with purpose.

🍋 From Sicily, With Balance

Sicilian NQ is our love letter to an island that has always known how to do more with less.

In a single dish, you might find:

• The tang of preserved lemon

• The crunch of toasted almonds

• The brightness of wild herbs

• The depth of tomato confit

No need to complicate it. Just let the ingredients speak.