Delicious Italian Food At Magica Roma

Eugene and I adore Italian food.   Authentic, delicious Italian food made with the best and purest ingredients and with all the verve, passion and energy that the best Italian chefs bring to their creations.
So it is with unalloyed happiness that we have been regular patrons of Magica Roma for years and years.

Magica Roma Ristorante Italiano at 8 Central Square, Pinelands in Cape Town, is proudly Italian.  Everything about it is Italian, from the owner/chefs Ezio Debiaggi and Franco Zezia, to the food that emerges triumphantly from the kitchen.   Our hosts were named Cavalieri Del Lavoro (Knights) by the President of Italy Dr. Scalfaro,  for creating a completely genuine Italian restaurant outside Italy.  Having been accorded this signal honour,  they are bound to maintaining the tradition of Italian cooking using only the best ingredients.  Wine Magazine has, since the year 2000, included them each year  in the top 100 restaurants in South Africa.  Rossouw's  Restaurant has awarded Magica Roma 3 stars.  In addition to all of this, there are numerous glowing write-ups and mentions from all over the world.

On arrival, one is warmly welcomed.  Generally either Ezio or Franco pops out of the kitchen to greet one with further Italian flourish.  The kitchen is always busy, but somehow they always find time to be hospitable.   It is always a warm personal greeting as they have known most of their customers for years.  Incidentally, as a newcomer, it takes about 5 minutes to become well known to them.  They have amazing memories.  They ask after your family, remember what your favourite foods are and exactly how you like it prepared.     It really is more like visiting an Italian home than a restaurant.

The decor and furnishings are chic.  Comfortably upholstered banquettes, tables are set with crisp white linen cloths and serviettes and gleaming wine glasses standing to attention.  The knowledgeable and wonderfully efficient young waiters and waitresses are neatly and professionally dressed in black.  They manage the needs of the diners with an easy efficiency that allows for a completely relaxed atmosphere.

At Magica Roma, it is the food that takes centre stage.  Both Ezio and Franco learnt the fundamentals of their craft in their grandmothers' and mothers' kitchens.  They both have a long history as highly respected restaurateurs and chefs in South Africa and were well-known to many of us before they joined forces.
The menu includes wonderful hot and cold antipasti, all prepared in a way unique to Magica Roma.   The main courses include seafood, fresh fish of the day, veal, a speciality of the house, and wonderfully prepared beef and lamb and chicken.  Every pasta and pizza you could think of because the philosophy of mine hosts is that they will make anything a customer desires.  I don't only mean any pizza or pasta, I mean anything.  If you have a special favourite, they will source the ingredients and create the dish and serve it in impeccable manner.
There are delicious desserts on the menu.  You may like to try a superb tiramisu, or a decadent spumone or any one of the temptations on offer.  There is a delicious home-baked cheesecake.  Something to enjoy with your post-prandial coffee.  

 A wonderful cross-section of people frequent the restaurant.  Captains of Industry rub shoulders with ladies and gentlemen that lunch.  Early in the evening it is not unusual to see families with young children enjoying a meal together.

There are some that dine there that have never seen a menu.  They are brought great platters of wonderful food, reflecting what is fresh at the market that day.  The platters keep on coming and at the end of it all, everyone has eaten like royalty.   A full wine list provides wines to complement the meal and some regulars have their own private bins kept specially for them.

Yesterday we went to Magica Roma for lunch.  In the usual flamboyant fashion, it was suggested that we share a platter of some of our favourite things and naturally they know exactly what these are.  What a wonderful sight it was.  On a large oval platter, beautifully presented, was Parma Ham, Vitello Tonato, grilled baby calamari, fresh asparagus with parmesan cheese, Caprese salad with tomato, buffalo mozzarella and avocado pear with fresh basil dressed with a light olive oil, eggplant sliced paper thin, lightly grilled and with a drizzle of olive oil, toasted bruschetta with cheese and tomato, a sort of a mini-pizza.  What a feast.   Everything succulent, everything delicious. We ate every morsel.  But more was still to come.

Another platter arrived, tagliolini served with two different sauces.  One with mini rosa tomatoes gently cooked with fresh basil and oregano in a light creamy sauce with just a hint of garlic and chilli.  The other, sauteed chopped mushrooms with a good dollop of white truffle oil.  Food for the gods.  A side dish of the salad of the house, Insalata della Casa, completed the feast.  This salad is a favourite of mine, mixed salad with avocado, olives, feta chees, garlic and mozzarella.

Magica Roma is open every day for lunch except Saturday. and Sunday.  They are open for dinner every night, except Sunday. They cater for functions for which there is a special set menu with many options.  Booking is absolutely essential.  Telephone:  021-531 1489

Franco and Ezio with their award from the President of Italy, Dr Scalfaro

Back Chat hopes that you too will discover the joys and delights of Magica Roma and wishes you Buon Appetito !!


ps:  I write about restaurants that I enjoy purely for the love of the food and the place.   I just want to share the magic.  We always pay for our meals and are certainly not official restaurant- reviewers.