The Lupa Osteria name is well-known to KZN and Gauteng folk; the homegrown group of Italian restaurants has been serving up authentic cuisine for a number of years, always managing to nail consistency, which is no mean feat in the restaurant biz. Now Capetonians can get in on the action with their own slice of trattoria heaven at the stylish Lupa Osteria Waterfront, located at the Clocktower near the Silo district.

Pass Us the Carbs

Italian cuisine is the go-to when you want something comforting and yummy but it does seem to have earned a bit of a reputation since the rise of the no-carb diet trend. This is really unfair though since it’s about so much more than that. Real Italian cuisine is about fresh ingredients, and layers of flavour; it doesn’t actually need to be a carb bomb.

We’re in favour of kicking the no-carb rule firmly to the curb!

Because Italian food is so prolific, it’s easy to get jaded by cheap pizza and rushed pasta but at Lupa Osteria, they aim to restore your faith in real Italian cuisine. The menu includes pizza and pasta, of course, but both are created with care and the menu expands to include plenty of Italian osteria favourites.

Antipasti

No Italian meal starts without a little something to whet the appetite and the Lupa Osteria antipasti selection offers a variety of choices, with classics such as arancini and melanzane. The antipasto platter was the way we went and this offered a selection of cured meats, cheeses, focaccia, olives, artichokes and the most delicious marinated aubergine slices we’ve ever tasted.

The Dough Room

If you have a love affair with pasta (who doesn’t?) then you’ll love that you can see your tagliatelle being rolled and shaped in the Dough Room – a dedicated, glass-fronted section in the restaurant, where the pasta magic happens.

We couldn’t pass up the chance to have a real Lasagne al Forno, baked in the woodfired oven. The silky pasta and balanced meat sauce made for mouthful after mouthful of real pasta magica!

Friday Night is Porchetta Night at Lupa Osteria Waterfront

Yes, that’s right, an entire evening dedicated to all things pig! Lupa Osteria Waterfront rolls pork belly and slow cooks it in the woodfired oven for hours. The result is an incredibly tasty (and seriously generous) portion of tender, juicy belly atop a bed of pan-fried spinach, dotted with cubes of sweet, cooked apple.

There’s not much that can top this dish, and judging by the number of people around us also enjoying it, it’s a bit of a crowd pleaser. So yum!

Delightful Doci

Like us, you’ll probably be popping by the time you get round to the Dolci course but engage any space you have left for something sweet. We loved the liquid centred chocolate fondant and also ate every last morsel of crème brûlée.

Our awesome host, Marco, who has much experience in the restaurant industry, knew this was the perfect time to send over a shot of house-made Limoncello. Just the thing to settle the stomach and lull you into thinking you could go for another round of porchetta (we promise, you can’t!).

The Lupa Osteria Experience

The team at Lupa Osteria Waterfront know their stuff and it’s not just about the food but about the experience too. The team seem to work in unison to take orders, deliver food and ensure that your wine glass is always topped up.

From lunchtime business meetings to a cosy date night for two, you’ll enjoy great Italian food and authentic hospitality at Lupa Osteria Waterfront.

(Tip: Head to the Silo underground parking and follow the signs for Nedbank. Go up in one of the lifts and you’ll pop out at the top of the staircase that leads down to the restaurant. It is located directly next to the Robben Island ferry ticket office and departure point.)

Look out for Lupa Osteria’s R75 lunch special – lots of menu favourites such as grilled calamari and porcini stuffed panzerotti.

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