Due to the huge success of the original, much celebrated Carné on Keerum Street, Chef Giorgio Nava has opened a smaller, more intimate restaurant at the top of Kloof Street. Nestled in amongst some of Cape Town’s most visited spots, Carne on Kloof has a very distinctive offering and oozes Italian flair. Specializing in amazing meat dishes, the restaurant is not for the faint hearted but for the more carnivorous of us.
From the outside it has the feel of a delicate Milanese café with its dainty fairy-lit terrace; once inside however, you are immediately overwhelmed with a flood of red, of wood and of warmth. With only a small collection of tables it is basic and simple, yet stylishly decorated. The restaurant lets the food speak for itself.
A delectable meaty and minimalist menu awaits, with the promise of some of the country’s finest cuts cooked to perfection. A wide range of antipasti and sides are listed to impeccably accompany your cut of choice, specially designed not to over-shadow the meat. For the vegetarians out there, never fear, you are catered for too.
We visited Carné for a family dinner, made up of mostly men and therefore the menu was greatly appreciated! After being taken through the various cuts described on an exquisite wooden board, we went with the hangar steak, pork sirloin on the bone and the extra-special prime rib. All were cooked perfectly and delicately complimented by spinach, broccoli and chips as sides. Starters ranged from R60 to R80; and mains from R80 – R250 – with prices directly relative to your appetite!
It would be rude to leave an Italian establishment without the dolcé, so to wrap up the meal we indulged in the chocolate fondant, which had just the right consistency and extent of chocolate! Keep this in mind when ordering your meat, as it is most definitely worth leaving some room for.
The wine menu is expansive and surprisingly reasonably priced. So order a bottle to further amplify the experience, you and your steak will both be grateful! If you are a whiskey fan, you will be spoilt for choice here so be sure to look behind the bar for what’s on offer.
The warm, cosy atmosphere is embodied by the staff who welcome you in a friendly manner and guide you smoothly from course to course. Feel free to question them to your hearts content on the cuts – you may learn a thing or two.
It’s a dining experience that will no doubt break through the clutter and be a memorable one. Be prepared to leave feeling content and more than satisfied. You may have to skip breakfast the following morning!
Contact details:
Phone: 021 426 5566
153 Kloof Street
Orangezicht
Cape Town
