Da Davide e Achille

Da Davide e Achille is a butcher-shop grill, or putia, on Via Plebiscito in Catania, in the part of the city known for its horse-meat grills. The cuisine is Catanese arrusti e mangia, a dialect phrase meaning roast and eat: diners choose raw cuts at the butcher's counter, the meat is cooked over charcoal, and it is eaten at simple tables or standing nearby. The tradition is rooted in the working-class districts of Catania, where horse and donkey meat have long been part of the local diet, and the venue is one of several along the street that keep that custom alive. Grilled horse meatballs, horse and donkey steaks and stigghiole, the skewered and grilled lamb or veal intestines wrapped around spring onions or herbs, are the dishes most associated with the house. The street address is given only as Via Plebiscito without a confirmed number, so visitors should ask locally or check a map on arrival. The dining area is basic and smoky from the grill, with a loud, communal and very local atmosphere; clothing should be casual and unconcerned about the smell of charcoal smoke. Drinks are simple, usually house wine, beer or soft drinks, and the beverage programme is not a feature. Prices are low, commonly EUR 10 to 20 per person depending on the weight of meat chosen, since cuts are sold by weight. Hours and a telephone number are not confirmed, and reservations are generally not taken at putie of this kind, so visitors should arrive at the usual lunch or dinner hours and be prepared to wait at busy times, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. The experience suits travellers curious about authentic Catanese food traditions, and it is not a good fit for vegetarians, since the offer is built around grilled meat. The location is a short drive or walk from the historic centre.