A BRIEF HISTORY OF CICCHETTI

A Cicchetti of Cobble Lane cured meats, Nocellara olives and house made focaccia, served alongside a Campari Spritz at Bar Jackie.

So, What is it?

Cicchetti (pronounced chi-KEH-tee) are Venice’s deliciously clever answer to the eternal dining dilemma: why commit to just one dish when you can flirt with five? Think of them as the Italian cousins of Spanish tapas - small, flavour-packed bites made for sharing (or not), and traditionally enjoyed in the cosy Bàcari of Venice with a Spritz or a local glass of wine. From crostini to marinated seafood, cicchetti are proof that small can indeed be mighty.

ORIGINS OF CICCHETTI

The tradition dates back to the 13th century, when Venetian merchants and sailors needed a quick, satisfying nibble between duties. They’d drop into a nearby Bàcaro for a swift glass of wine and a bite before heading back out. The word cicchetto likely stems from the Latin ciccus, meaning “a little bit” - though rarely is one enough.

CICCHETTI, BUT MAKE IT SOHO

At Broadwick Soho, we’ve taken inspiration from this Venetian ritual and added our own Soho sparkle.

Bar Jackie, our street-level café bar, is where aperitivo hour truly comes to life. While we offer a selection of Italian small plates we call aperitivi – designed for grazing, pairing, and lingering – our cicchetti is a specific, standalone delight. Served as one elegant plate, it’s a perfectly pitched pairing for your Campari cocktail of choice.

Choose from Cobble Lane cured meats or Provolone cheese, both accompanied by Nocellara olives and our house-made focaccia. A single plate, beautifully balanced – just enough to whet the appetite and raise a toast.

This summer, at Bar Jackie we toast the season with a Campari partnership

We’re serving a sun-kissed selection of classic Italian cocktails – Spritzes, Negronis, and a few dashing extras – all best enjoyed with a plate of our Venetian-inspired cicchetti. For £19, it's aperitivo hour done the Broadwick way.

Book Bar Jackie and join us for small bites, bold flavours, and long summer evenings.