Bree Street, one of Cape Town’s best-known food streets, has an eclectic gathering of eateries from afar and one of its newest residents,True Italic Italian Art Cafe, is a wholesome bite of authentic Italy.

True Italic is run in true Italian-style by ‘familia Di Pasquale’, consisting of brother and sister team – Luca the chef, and Natasha as front of house management. Father, Salvatore, is a regular presence, with other members of the family and friends coming and going.

Their natural Italian passion spills over into everything they do – the sourcing of Parma ham or smoked mozzarella from mama Italy, homemade Sicilian sausage, Luca’s legendry Grappa that sits maturing in a small, wooden vat on the bar, or their list of fine Italian wines. It could also be the wall of obligatory football shirts that pay homage to their other Italian passion, candles stuck in old wine bottles with a mass of wax drippings, or even the way you are greeted with open arms and taken through each line of the menu with personal delight.

True Italic Italian Art Cafe pride themselves on their pasta dishes, which they quite confidently believe are the best in town. As any good Italian dish should, these include a mixture of top quality, imported ingredients which have not been drowned in cream, but instead allowed to shine. Pasta dishes are slightly more expensive than average, but the price is justified when compared to an airplane ticket to Italy! The pasta is homemade onsite by Luca and there is a choice of different pastas – more than the average South Africa restaurant offers. Try the pappardelle, which is thicker than tagliatelle and soaks up the delicate flavours of Luca’s sauces perfectly.

Sublime antipasti, served on wooden boards, is also available with a selection of Italian cured meats, cheeses and other tasty delights. This is perfect to share and is a great topic for conversation as you discuss each mouthful – Coppa ham wrapped Parmesan or Caprese salad done with Rosa tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

True Italic is the Italian family you always wished you had – you can give Luca or Natasha a call and order homemade gnocchi to cook at home, or have friends around to the restaurant and customise a meal to suit you.

True Italic Italian Art Cafe is open daily and offers a selection of European-style breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches and salads. They have plans to expand into the basement of the restaurant for private functions. They have regular music evenings and encourage artists to exhibit their work.

This is a rustic, Italian family-style restaurant where the emphasis is on freshness, quality and authenticity. Check in with Luca for daily specials, enjoy a fun filled evening of music and Italian fare, share a quick glass of vino and a chat with Natasha, or grab a bite during the day of Italian meat and Sicilian tomato sauce on homemade focaccia.

This is the Italian family and food you have been looking for. Ciao!

‘True Italic Italian Art Cafe, is a wholesome bite of authentic Italy.’