Without a doubt this venue is my favourite find for the summer. Situated in the new trendy Silo district, this is now one of my favourite tapas venues. Not for the faint-hearted, if you are like me and adore all things battered you will love place.
I’ve made no secret of my disdain for the V&A Waterfront, especially at this time of year; my wife is convinced I am the Grinch. Swarming with tourists and inflated restaurant prices, it really is my least favourite place to frequent.
Enter the Silo District, with its unique an interesting array of trendy restaurants and architecture. Si Cantina is beautifully decorated and is the perfect place to enjoy a drink with friends while sharing their ample tapas selection. The portions are generous and quite varied catering to every taste.
TAPAS MENU
ZUCCHINI FRIES – R39
Battered deep-fried & served with garlic aioli.
ONION RINGS – R35
Battered deep-fried & served with aioli.
FRITES – R30
Twice fried hand-cut potatoes(or sweet potatoes) served with our salt blend & aioli.
MARINATED OLIVES – R39
Selection of olives in a Moroccan spiced dressing.
SAUTEED MUSHROOMS – R45
Field mushrooms, sautéed in a garlic herb butter, served on salsa verde.
FRIED PICKLES – R39
Battered deep-fried & served with aioli.
HALLOUMI LETTUCE WRAP – R85
Grilled halloumi topped with piquant peppers & sliced avocado, dressed with a creamy yoghurt herb & olive relish.
SPICY CHICKPEAS WITH GREENS & FERMENTED YOGHURT – R55
Slow braised spiced chickpeas, green olives, toum, fresh coriander with sautéed greens.
POPPERS – R55
Piquant peppers, crumbed & stuffed with herbed feta. Served with a yoghurt relish dipping bowl.
MASHED POTATO – R30
CROSTINI – R 95
Sliced fire baked ciabatta, topped with seasonal ingredients. “Ask about our daily selection of toppings”
LIVERS -R75
Creamy peri-peri chicken livers with crispy bacon garnish.
MARKET VEGETABLES – R35
ROCKET SALAD – R39
FRIED CHICKEN WINGS – R105
Spicy fried chicken wings served with an aioli dipping bowl.
PICKLED OCTOPUS – R95
Slow braised in wine & herbs, served marinated in preserved lemon scented olive oil with salted capers.
FRIED OR GRILLED CALAMARI – R100
FISH GOUJONS -R100
Tempura battered & deep fried, served with basil tartare mayo.
BEEF & PECORINO MEATBALLS – R85
Served in a Napoli sauce with Pecorino shavings.
CLASSIC STEAK TARTARE – R135
Hand cut beef sirloin served with onions, anchovies, capers & cured egg yolk.
SAUTÉED SPINACH – R39
FLATBREADS
48 HOUR MATURED MULTI-GRAIN DOUGH OR GLUTEN FREE.
PLAIN – R50
Brushed with olive oil, rock salt & fresh rosemary or garlic. “Add mushroom puree or hummus + R25
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We tried the following
Poppers, hard to fault and always a favourite
Fried pickles, battered and deep fried…wow what a find; I find it hard to eat pickles in their “natural” state now after having them deep fired.
Zucchini fries, served with a lovely aioli.
Onion rings, battered and deep fried is another classic.
Frites, which was delicious. It’s hard to fault anything that has been double fried.
Halloumi lettuce wraps, for those wanting a healthier option perhaps.
Peri Peri Chicken livers that were divine, just the right amount spice to keep everyone interested.
Spicy Chicken wings.
Pickled octopus, slow braised and served with salted capers.
Grilled Calamari
Fish Goujons
Beef and Pecorino meatballs
Classic Steak tartare
An assortment of flatbreads
We made a go of trying most of the dishes on the tapas menu and truth be told it was hard to fault any of them. There really are lots of options and even your vegan friends will be glad that you thought of them for a change. I’ll definitely be back.
For the full album click HERE
Restaurant Info:
5A1, Silo District,
V & A Waterfront,
Cape Town
Tel No: 087 470 0124
Email: info@sicantinasociale.co.za.
Written for JAR PHOTOGRAPHY by Mario Arendse
Photography for JAR PHOTOGRAPHY by Jason “Dubbz” Petersen
