With nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Kovensky, who also owns Paranga, Pepenero and The Kove, saw a gap in the market and seized the opportunity to create this unique contemporary Italian experience. "When creating the Zenzero concept, I pulled inspiration from my travels to Italy, Europe and from visiting world-class Italian restaurants," explained Kovensky. "The interior concepts and menu were created in conjunction with each other. As I decided on colour schemes, textures, fabrics and the layout of the restaurant, I planned the menu content and feel at the same time."
Zenzero, which in Italian translates directly as "ginger", symbolises exactly that; a place to sit down and savour taste, with zest. Diners will appreciate its spacious and elegant interior - the chandeliers, the plush sheen drapes that hang from ceiling to floor, the ornate mirrors, the richly upholstered chairs and wall-long divans in white or deep-brown leather; all interspersed with chairs covered in gold, cream and brown.
Sitting at your table, you'll get an immediate scent of two all-time favourites of Italian cuisine: rosemary and lavender. There's a potted plant of either one or the other growing happily on each table; a quirky and inventive touch that reminds you why you're here: great food.
You can indulge in homemade pastas and breads, a multitude of salads, tramezzinis, fish carpaccio, ricotta-stuffed calamari and butternut gnocchi, among others. In winter, enjoy a heartier oxtail tagliatelli or T-bone steak Fiorentino while the warm glow of a wall-mounted fire lights the room. Each dish is additive-free and made with the freshest ingredients which are meticulously sourced.
A classic tiramisu with rich mascarpone or a luscious praline and toffee panna cotta with butterscotch sauce will finish off your meal.
Order your wine from the extensive list on offer; from wines of Montepulciano in Sienna to the cellars of Lamberti and Zaccagnini. The choice is plentiful with a superb selection of the Cape's finest reds, whites and sparklings on the menu to suit the most discerning palate; not forgetting the Chianti of course. Champagnes read like a who's who too, from Louis Roederer to Dom Pérignon, Laurent-Perrier to Krug.
Zenzero is open Monday to Sunday, 9am to midnight. Open for breakfast, lunch and supper. For bookings contact Zenzero on +27(0)21 438 0007 or email az.oc.tnaruatseroreznez@ofni.
