Come in from the cold Hillcrest nights
Stretta Cafe Shop 8, The Colony Shopping Centre, 50 Old Main Road, Hillcrest Phone: 031 765 8862 Hours: 7am to 9pm Monday to Sunday Ratings (out of five) Food Service Ambience AS WE greeted each other, our friends joked about meeting a polar bear on the way to the restaurant. There was an icy wind blowing and we hurried inside to a warm cosy room with lots of red brick, wooden beam ceilings, clean white walls and wood tables and chairs. Great ambience, and the place was cheerful and busy.
We had booked and were shown to our table, near an area where staff came to pick up takeaway orders. Our waiter was quick to ask for our drinks. A Standeaven African Pale Ale (R45) and Jack Black craft beer (R32) for the guys and sparkling water for the ladies.
While we were considering the Italian food themed menu a complimentary Focaccia arrived, Crisp and tasty it quickly disappeared.
First we chose the Gorgonzola salad with mixed leaves, tomato, rocket, creamy Gorgonzola and pecan nuts (R75). It was fresh and enjoyable.
The menu offers a choice of burgers, pizzas and pastas.
All of our party chose from the pastas which included the Bella, linguine with olive oil, roasted butternut, crispy bacon, feta and a hint of red chilli (R68/R90); Pescatore, tagliatelle with grilled tiger prawns, calamari and mussels in a Napoli sauce with a hint of chilli (R135), Pollo Fegato, tagliatelle with chicken livers flamed in brandy with mazavaroo in a creamy Napoli sauce (R75/R98); and finally the Pollo Pesto of sautéed crispy bacon, brown mushroom and chicken strips, with basil, pesto and cream on penne pasta (R75/R98).
All four dishes were praised for their flavours. Seafood pasta is one of my favourite dishes and this one was up there with the best. I loved the bite of the chilli in the sauce and there was a good number of decent sized prawns, mussels and calamari.
With our meal we had a Hartenberg Doorkeeper Shiraz (R130) which went down very well with the pasta.
For desert my wife had the lemon tart (R45) and our friend the bread and butter pudding (R35). Both were very happy with their choices.
There is a feeling of satisfaction in finding a pleasant restaurant where the food is good, the ambience pleasant and one can relax with friends. This was our feeling with Stretta.