An Italian Culinary Haven within Cape Town: Scala Pasta Bar

3 mins read
italian cuisine pasta bar

Scala Pasta Bar in Cape Town is a must-visit for lovers of contemporary Italian cuisine. The menu features antipasti, tapas-style pasta, and daily specials showcasing season-based dishes. The star of the show is the signature Carbonara Pasta, featuring guanciale, egg, and pecorino. Vegetarian options are also available, and a corkage fee of R100 applies, while a cake charge of R150 is imposed. Scala Pasta Bar is located at 81 Church Street and is open from 12 pm to 10:30 pm, Monday to Sunday.

A Gastronomic Delight: Scala’s Menu

The menu at Scala Pasta Bar is a tribute to contemporary Italian gastronomy, curated by Michelin-starred chef Luciano Monosilio and Executive Chef Justin Barker. Featuring Italian antipasti, tapas-style pasta, and carefully curated desserts, the menu also includes daily specials showcasing season-based meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian dishes.

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Tucked in the lively gastronomic landscape of Cape Town, Scala Pasta Bar is an Italian haven, whisking you away on a culinary tour to Rome, which is considered the cradle of Italian cuisine. This exceptional Italian pasta bar is far from mundane and has quickly carved out a niche for itself, adding a sprinkle of Roman charm to Heritage Square.

A Gastronomic Delight: Scala’s Menu

The menu at Scala is nothing short of a tribute to contemporary Italian gastronomy. The brilliance on the plate is a result of the collaborative efforts of Michelin-starred chef Luciano Monosilio and Executive Chef Justin Barker. The menu tantalizes with a selection of Italian antipasti, tapas-style pasta, and carefully curated desserts. The aim is to please both the critical gourmet and the ardent food enthusiast. A highlight is their daily specials board, flaunting a colourful medley of season-based meat, poultry, seafood and vegetarian dishes.

The Highlight of Scala: Signature Carbonara Pasta

Taking pride of place on Scala’s culinary repertoire is their star attraction, the Carbonara Pasta, featured on their winter set menu. The set menu, priced at R395 per person, also includes a glass of house red wine. The gastronomic journey unfurls with an Antipasti course including Italian olive and potato focaccia, grissini sticks, char-grilled melanzane complemented by tomato salsa, basil, parmesan, and smoked minestrone with broken spaghetti and wild garlic aioli.

The Pasta course follows, with Chef Luciano Monosilio’s Signature Carbonara as the main attraction. It’s a delightful blend of guanciale, egg, and pecorino. The Pasta course also includes oven-baked pacchero with basil ricotta, rustic tomato, grana, and pappardelle alla teramana garnished with fried meatballs and herb oil. The culinary voyage concludes with the Dolci course – Millefoglie, an indulgent combination of dark chocolate and vanilla custard, garnished with candied almonds.

A Treat for Veggie Lovers

Not one to overlook their vegetarian clientele, Scala Pasta Bar also presents an equally enticing vegetarian set menu, priced at R395 per person, which includes a glass of house red wine. The Antipasti course boasts Italian olive and potato focaccia, grissini sticks, char-grilled melanzane with tomato salsa, basil, parmesan, and minestrone with broken spaghetti, stracciatella, and wild garlic. The Pasta course consists of Spaghetti alla scapece with fried baby marrow, mint lemon dressing, grana, and oven-baked pacchero with basil ricotta, rustic tomato, and grana. The pasta course is followed by pici cacio e pepe. The dining experience ends with the Dolci course, featuring Millefoglie with dark chocolate and vanilla custard, adorned with candied almonds.

Important Details while Dining at Scala

When indulging in the gastronomic treats at Scala, it’s significant to note that a corkage fee of R100 is imposed, applicable only on wine and sparkling wine, and is limited to one bottle for every four guests. Also, there’s a cake charge of R150.

How to Reach Scala Pasta Bar

Centrally located at 81 Church Street, City Centre, Scala Pasta Bar welcomes guests from Monday to Sunday, from 12 pm to 10:30 pm. You can get in touch by calling them at 021 424 7204 or sending them an email at [email protected]. For the latest updates and specials, pay a visit to their Instagram or Facebook page, or check their website at scalapasta.co.za.

Scala Pasta Bar, through its innovative menu and impressive gastronomic experience, transcends the regular restaurant experience. It’s a delightful culinary journey to Italy, a heartfelt homage to Italian cuisine, and a symbol of how food can connect cultures and create lasting memories.

What type of cuisine does Scala Pasta Bar offer?

Scala Pasta Bar offers contemporary Italian cuisine, including antipasti, tapas-style pasta, and daily specials showcasing season-based dishes.

What is the signature dish at Scala Pasta Bar?

The star of the show is the signature Carbonara Pasta, featuring guanciale, egg, and pecorino.

Does Scala Pasta Bar offer vegetarian options?

Yes, Scala Pasta Bar offers vegetarian options, including a vegetarian set menu.

Are there any additional charges while dining at Scala Pasta Bar?

Yes, there is a corkage fee of R100 imposed on wine and sparkling wine, limited to one bottle for every four guests. There is also a cake charge of R150.

Who curates the menu at Scala Pasta Bar?

The menu at Scala Pasta Bar is curated by Michelin-starred chef Luciano Monosilio and Executive Chef Justin Barker.

What are the operating hours of Scala Pasta Bar?

Scala Pasta Bar is open from 12 pm to 10:30 pm, Monday to Sunday.

Hannah Kriel is a Cape Town-born journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene—from Bo-Kaap spice routes to Constantia vineyards—for local and international outlets. When she’s not interviewing chefs or tracking the harvest on her grandparents’ Stellenbosch farm, you’ll find her surfing the Atlantic breaks she first rode as a schoolgirl.

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