It was my wife’s birthday and she’d chosen Il Leone Mastrantonio as her dinner and present opening venue. December in Cape Town makes it more risky to arrive without a booking but I had a couple of days so I emailed them at illeone@mastrantonio.com and got a reply confirming the booking a few hours later. That was easy.
The tables are nicely spaced apart from one another, crispy linen tablecloths, comfy chairs, big windows looking out to leafy De Waterkant. Paintings on the walls featuring nudeish ladies looking slightly tubby,as they do, wearing gently pensive expressions. Do I look big on this sofa? Is climate milk better than oat milk? Golly, this Uber Eats guy was really persuasive!
The bottle’s in ice bucket within easy reach emanating a golden fermented flux of hope and promise; the planets resonate agreeably. We had a bottle of Adi Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc which is one of the cheaper wines on the list but it’s good stuff man. And from a small family winery near Malmesbury in the Swartland.
Here’s what we ate:
Bucatini alla Amatriciana
Classic pancetta, onions and chilli in a tomato based sauce
R230
Long round noodles with a diameter about 3 times that of normal spaghetti. Nice quality pancetta in small cubes. Rich sauce. I had a ceasar salad on the side (extra).
Pesce Del Giorno
Fresh grilled linefish of the day
R285
It was yellowtail served with mash and veg. I’m not big on fish but my wife said it was excellent. Lovely seared finish and attractive presentation.
Costolette d’Agnello
Grilled lamb chops (300g) served in a port reduction sauce
R345
I’m not that into lamb either but these chops could convert me: thick, tender, luscious.
Piccata di Vitello
Veal escalopes with either lemon butter or marsala wine
or pizzaiola sauce
R265
A few veals to choose from, this was a winner.
Our waiter delivered a complimetary birthday tiramisu and we shared it and a really classy, natural textured cheesecake. Pro tip: rinse down with a generous grappa and a separate espresso. Exquisite! As was the entire experience. Give il Leone a go.
(021) 421 0071
illeone@mastrantonio.com
Address: Corner Prestwich & Cobern Street, Green Point, Cape Town
Hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-10pm
