Sotano by Caveau

Mediterranean food, live music, and wine, wine, wine

I’m a local here. Often, I pop in for a quick glass of wine after work, and soon it turns into tapas, more wine; and before I know it the sun is sinking behind the promenade. It's just that kind of place; so utterly undemanding, you quickly relax.

I’ve come early afternoon this time; the sun still high in the sky. And there’s a gentle flow of people on Sea Point’s promenade. There have been a few restaurants in this location, all of which quickly closed shop. It’s surprising considering the locale: situated opposite Mouille Point’s iconic barber pole lighthouse, the aforementioned promenade is a hop-skip-and-jump, and it’s just five minutes from the V&A Waterfront. A greasy spoon could have been successful. But no, Sotano’s predecessors didn’t embrace the easy, breezy feel that owners Brendon Crew, Jean-Yves Muller and Marc Langlois so elegantly have.

Outside, the furniture is made from converted wine barrels—fitting considering Sotano translates roughly to ‘cellar’ in Spanish. Inside is a cool blue and cream affair with ample space for summer soirées.

Relaxing outside under the slatted roof, our chilled asparagus soup arrives perfumed with truffle and topped with a soft-boiled egg. Next we share crispy sardines. We crush the buttery flesh onto ciabatta with our forks, and devour (the dish of the day). We also split potato fishcakes made with salted cod.

Eating, talking, drinking

“We let good ingredients speak for themselves,” says newly appointed chef Jeremy de Mateis. “We’ve just introduced a cold crustacean platter for two; It’s quite an impressive sight as it comes in a silver stand.”

On those days when my one glass turns into two, I generally order the mezze: aubergine tempura, crispy squid, hummus, flatbreads, spicy tomato meat balls... It’s an offering that’s perfect for soaking up wine and sun.

Dinner-time can be a more serious affair with three-course â la carte dining. For these occasions the menu has items such as; beer braised rabbit, crayfish and zucchini ravioli, and rosemary glazed duck breast.

I’m told that they make a cracking breakfast too: add fresh sea air to dishes like Israeli-inspired shakshouka (pepper and tomato eggs), and Eggs Benedict, and you have one invigorating way to wake up.

Whether you’re here to eat tapas, drink wine; or even have a full on gourmand evening, this restaurant has been designed to cater to you—and all with that easy, breezy Mediterranean feel.

By Malu Lambert

P.S. Visit on the weekends for live music; and top DJs

We also visited sister restaurants, Caveau and HQ, and left more than satisfied. For your monthly update on what’s happening in and around Cape Town, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.