Situated off Cliffendale Drive in Faerie Glen, La Fiamma, was reopened at Faeriedale Shopping Centre by mother and son team Cinzia and Jarrid Smith in May 2015. This homely, stylish and inviting Italian eatery (previously located in the same spot between 2004 and 2007) underwent a major transformation for the re-opening.
La Fiamma provides a choice between al fresco dining under the umbrellas outside, or dining in one of the intimate inside sections with creative brown paper covered tables. You will notice interesting features such as a large chalk board menu extending over the bar, lined with Triple Three Gin African Botanicals bottles and a single five litre speciality Strega, a popular Italian digestive, displayed on the centre of the bar.
The menu
The menu offers a wide selection of traditional Italian meals including pasta, pizza and meat dishes and weekly speciality dishes. Chef Jaco Van der Merwe, head chef at La Fiamma, with 14 years’ experience including working at a boutique hotel in the United Kingdom for six years learning to make Italian dishes, says he loves the simplicity and fresh flavours of cooking authentic Italian dishes.
He suggests the rosemary deep-fried strip focaccia for starters or the Involtini di Melanzana with ricotta and mozerella cheese wrapped in salted brinjals, coated in Napolitano sauce and oven baked with parmesan cheese. For mains have the signature Pancetta Di Maiale of slow roasted pork belly served with candied mustard fruit topped with pear and cider jus.
Italian influences
The Allegra, which is slow cooked wild boar, mushrooms herbs and hints of garlic in Napolitano sauce with a choice of spaghetti, linguine or penne pasta is a hearty, satisfying main meal choice. Round it all up with tiramisu for dessert made with lady fingers dipped in expresso, liquor and layered with creamy mascarpone.
La Fiamma offers a good selection of wines including brands such as Durbanville Hills, Terra del Capo, Blaauwklippen and Neethlingshof. There’s also a selection of imported Italian wines, grappa, cocktails and craft and imported beers. Any wine served “by the glass” is served fresh from the bottle made possible by the latest in wine preservation technology called Le Verre de Vin.
This lovely little Italian dining place also provides live entertainment on Sundays, culinary classes, kiddies parties, catering of functions and spitbraais at customer’s homes. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic night out with your partner, a quick business lunch with a colleague or a leisurely family dinner, La Fiamma is an Italian gem with a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Faerie Glen.
La Fiamma
goo.gl/KT4AJy
012 991 2152
Words: Lisa Dewberry
Images: Supplied