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REVIEW: Il Contadino restaurant

by Fundiswa Nkwanyana
Il Contadino

Our features writer Fundiswa Nkwanyana had lunch at Il Contadino in Parktown, Johannesburg. She shares with us her experience at this trendy eatery.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Il Contadino

Every time I passed by this restaurant, my eyes would be drawn to the alluring black and white signage that lights up at night. So, I eventually made a booking because I was fascinated to see what goes on inside. This restaurant has a farm-style appeal that’s refreshing to see in an urban setting. I loved the rustic decor that consisted of refurbished furniture and upcycled decorative accessories ranging from spades on the walls, light fixtures hanging from a wooden plank and lush green plants in tin containers. Even though the restaurant is fairly big, the seating arrangements with the open plan kitchen made it cosy and warm.

 SEE ALSO: REVIEW: Zio La Famiglia

THE MENU

As I looked through the menu, my mouth started to water because all the meals are made from organic ingredients sourced from the Brightside Farm in Magaliesburg. The thought of having a meal sourced from a sustainable and organic farm excited me, especially because nowadays most of the food we eat is genetically modified.  For starters, I ordered grass fed beef carpaccio served with freshly sliced radish, crumbled parmesan, roast pine nuts and green chimichurri dressing. Even though I’m not a fan of raw meat; the combination of flavours made this meal very delicious. It was a fresh and light starter that left enough room for the main and dessert. For mains, I had rotolo which is rolled lasagne sheets baked in a wood fire. I loved that there was minimal flavouring, and the tomatoes and mince had a rich taste. I could taste the freshness of the tomatoes which is often buried by spices in many dishes. After sitting for 45 minutes on the refurbished chairs, I moved to the couch seating area as I found the chair uncomfortable because there was no cushioning on the backrest. My dessert was tiramisu with a twist. It had berry compote, mascarpone and coffee, and I loved that the ingredients were perfectly balanced. All my meals were delicious and plated in a simple yet artistic way.

 SEE ALSO: REVIEW: 15 On Orange Atrium Bar

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

I love eating out alone, and have finally found a restaurant where I can enjoy a meal with a book and glass of wine without feeling awkward because most of the patrons were doing the same. The patrons looked like mature foodies who wanted a peaceful place to enjoy authentic Italian food. I also loved that the food is fairly priced with all the mains less than R200. The wine selection is also impressive. If you are looking for unpretentious Italian food in a charming rustic and farm-style setting with locally sourced wine, I highly recommend you visit this restaurant.

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