The Alphen Hotel in Constantia has opened a contemporary new Italian eatery in what was previously the Five Rooms restaurant. Gone are the plush, dark furnishings – the new space is vibrantly light and white. Blanko’s gallery style space is filled with Italian marble tables, a dramatically-lit white bar and textured furnishings, with ambient lighting to highlight the Italian cuisine. Group Head Chef, Amber-May Deetlefs delivers her culinary philosophy in her unique Italian style, “I believe the best food is prepared from the heart – it not only has to taste good, it should be something sincere and uncomplicated”.
In a first for Cape Town, in collaboration with Cape Town’s Goodman Gallery, the walls of Blanko feature work from some of South Africa’s greatest contemporary artists. MD of the Kove Collection, Paul Kovensky has a passion and appreciation of art which is evident in every aspect of Blanko. The restaurant’s white interiors provide the perfect canvas to compliment great art. Artists who feature include Diane Victor, William Kentridge, Brett Murray, Mikhael Subotzky, Robert Hodgins and Walter Oltmann.
Kovensky is excited about the opportunity, “The current social “buzz” in Cape Town, paired with the locals need for exciting new places to eat, Blanko is the ideal concept for foodies & families. We believe Blanko’s contemporary concept provides a charming contrast and antidote to the “old world” architecture and ambience of the Alphen Hotel, bringing a breath of fresh air to the neighbourhood. We’ve always placed a high value on offering our guests the best, most memorable experience possible. And Blanko is simply a natural evolution of this”.
