• If you, like myself, are a sucker for Italian food, I would recommend you treat your tastebuds to the mouthwatering dishes to be found on the pages of Club Kloof’s menu.

    Photo: Ulrich Knoblauch

    The eatery opened their doors on 25 March in Kloof Street, right behind another favourite, Our Local. In fact, the two are owned by one in the same duo, Shayne Shutte and Michael Carter.

    ‘Although neither of us is Italian, a love of travel, Italy and the Mediterranean has influenced how we cook, entertain and eat.’

    Bold scarlet hues, upholstered seating and crisp white tablecloths take you back in time upon entering the vibrant space. What is now the home of Club Kloof had been destroyed by a fire in December 2021, which gave Shayne and Michael the opportunity to start from scratch and create what they felt was missing in the Cape Town food scene.

    Photo: Ulrich Knoblauch

    If you’d ask them today what words best describe the Club Kloof mood, they’d answer, ‘Flavourful, memory-making, intriguing, vibes.’ And as someone who was lucky enough to experience the eatery and what it has to offer first-hand, I couldn’t agree more.

    Photo: Ulrich Knoblauch

    After our visit to Club Koof, I am convinced that if you were to ask me to choose a dish to eat for the rest of my life, I would most likely name one of the dishes that we ordered (and best believe it would be hard to choose, as each and every plate offered a flavourful experience).

    Photo: Ulrich Knoblauch

    The menu allows people to curate their dining experience as opposed to having to commit to a single dish. We had one of the pizzettes – a garlic confit base topped with marinated tomato and buffalo mozzarella. We also tried one of the daily schiacciatas, the beef fillet with triple fried wedges with herbed butter, and their grilled zucchini fries. Our dining experienced came to an end with the tastiest, dreamiest decadent chocolate mousse dessert.

    Photo: Ulrich Knoblauch

    Michael explains: ‘We focused on flavour and produce, and on celebrating Shayne’s unique combinations and layering of flavours. We brought in Motherdough and their 113 year old starter fransina to help us train and perfect our sourdough recipes and processes in our new small bakery, looking at Italian classics you’d find in the heart of Milan.’

    Details

    • Location: 84 Kloof Street, Cape Town
    • Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8 am til late
    • Reservations:
      • Main dining room: bookings from 12 pm for lunch and 6 pm for dinner
      • Front terrace: no bookings/walk-ins only
      • Back courtyard: no bookings/walk-ins only
    • Contact: email [email protected] or call 072 415 3752

    ALSO SEE: Why this classic film-inspired café on Kloof is loved by locals

    Why this classic film-inspired café on Kloof is loved by locals

    Feature image: Ulrich Knoblauch

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