Johannesburg restaurant goers can now enjoy an authentic slice of Italy that goes beyond pizza and pasta at Mangiare restaurant, which recently opened at Melrose Arch.

Mangiare, pronounced ‘mun-jar-eh’, is Italian for ‘to eat’ and embodies the spirit of Italians’ legendary love for good food. The restaurant combines an elegant setting with traditional Italian fare, which is prepared using fresh, authentic ingredients according to time-honoured Italian recipes.

The dishes are prepared by well-known Cape Town chef and restaurateur, Jacques Botha, while the wine list features wines hand-picked to complement our menu and dining experience.

Starters include favourites such as oysters with shallots and raspberry vinaigrette; white anchovy, tomato, red onion and rocket salad with parsley oil; and tomato tart tar tin with pesto and ricotta.

Main courses feature the ever-popular grilled prawns with fennel and chilli sauce; fettucine with clams, calamari and prawns; and sirloin with Portobello mushrooms, burst vine tomatoes and roasted garlic.

Meals are rounded off with a tantalising array of desserts, form chocolate torte and baked pear with calvados syrup and crème fraiche, to orange blossom crème brulee and crostata di limone.

The menu is completed with formaggi, a carefully selected range of local cheeses, and the restaurant’s renowned list of estate and boutique estate wines, making for captivating fine dining.