Doppio Zero in town and News Cafe at Artscape
DOPPIO ZERO (00) is the grade of Italian flour used for pizza and pasta. It is also a fitting name for a restaurant chain that offers a Mediterranean menu with baked items at its core.
The recently opened branch in Mandela Rhodes Place in Cape Town was popular the night we dined and one of the things that impressed me most was the family portion on the menu.
Speaking of family, I’ve recently revisited the Godfather Trilogy movies and have had Spaghetti with Meat Balls on the mind. At Doppio Zero they serve it in a light tomato sauce with the meaty balls herby and delicious.
I started with a half-‘n-half pizza: butternut with caramelized onions and creamy gorgonzola, pine nuts and honey. Delicious. They call it Gne Gne Gne which I could not fathom how to pronounce, (even after a year’s Italian classes.) I’m relieved that it isn’t Italian at all but rather that sing-song taunt when one another has something you want.
Ask your waiter to sing it to you (you’ll find their name on the table.) The other half was the Bellisimo with artichokes, halomi, tomato and rocket.
Some of the pizza names are wonderfully amusing: Costa Plenty with rosemary roast lamb, feta and tsatsiki. Prada with mushrooms, red peppers, roasted brinjals and feta. I like that they don’t take themselves seriously – on the menu it says Mad in Italy rather than Made in Italy.
The minestrone soup for one is almost sufficient for three to share as a starter. For bookings contact 021 424 9225 or visit www.doppio.co.za.
In London’s West End there are restaurants where autograph seekers know they will find their stage heroes before and after performances. Now Cape Town has one too. Although not new, The News Café at Artscape is notable for its clientele, many from the theatre world and others from the City whose offices are across the way. This combination gives it a special buzz over lunch and after work.
This is not a place to come for cuisine but, if you’re after snacky things with drinks I can recommend the rocket and rump ciabatta.
Expect rump steak sliced with rocket and grilled tomato. Also good is the chicken and jalapeno ciabatta for a little zing - grilled chicken breast, avocado and topped with grilled feta and mozzarella cheese topped with jalapeno mayonnaise.
Their signature drink, listed under Anger Management on the cocktail menu, is the Pangalactic Gargle Blaster. It looks like something off the set of the Rocky Horror Show and it tastes like just the thing to take more than the edge off. Not surprising really when you consider it includes vodka, orange juice layered on top of cherry liqueur, grenadine and peach schnapps before being topped with blue curacao, lemon and lime.
Although I ordered the chicken bites with Nachos combo I was just served the bites - crumbed chicken strips served with chips and bbq dip.
Willie Stegmann is the manager there and I found him really accommodating. My lunch companion is a theatre regular who complained about food taking too long before shows. Willie explained they now have a paired-down pre-theatre dinner menu and, if patrons like my fussy friend call in advance, they can pre-order from the car. A very nice, personal touch for a franchised operation.
021 410 9852 www.newscafe.co.za
[31-Dec-08]
Brian Berkman
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