Located on the ever-popular and festive Chartwell Drive, the restaurant’s warm atmosphere provides the perfect setting for an intimate family evening or a fun lunch with friends. Named after Lupa, the wolf who suckled the mythological founders of Rome, this restaurant serves freshly made and authentic Italian food.
As we took our seats, the pleasant Phiwo greeted us and introduced us to their speciality gin cart while we snacked on complimentary breadsticks. Featuring a variety of brands and flavours of gin, mixers and garnishes, Phiwo explained and suggested the mixology we could try. The Inverroche Amber Gin was a favourite, mixed with lemonade or sugar free tonic water and topped off with slices of fresh grapefruit. From their mocktail selection, the Italian Sunset and Rainfall stood out for us. These vibrant and refreshing drinks were mixes of zesty and citrus flavours complementing the starters.
Feeling adventurous, we opted for the Italian nachos and oven-baked snails. The snails, a new experience, were baked in a wood-fire oven in a creamy white wine and Gorgonzola sauce and served with toasted ciabatta. The bold flavours of the snails were balanced with the mild notes from the ciabatta. Crispy, three-cheese ravioli were the Italian nachos, paired with a chilli-infused arrabbiata sauce, a nice addition to the cheesy bites.
On to the main dishes, honouring the Italian influence, we opted for a pizza and a pasta, accompanied by two of their grilled dishes. The Amy, a meat-free pizza, was a favourite around the table. Topped with roasted butternut, feta, caramelised pumpkin seeds and onions, and rocket leaves. The crumbled feta’s saltiness balanced out the sweet influences from the caramelised components. The Napoli sauce, infused with white wine, chilli, garlic, and cream, beautifully complements the chorizo and prawns, served with light, chewy gnocchi. For a truly special experience, you can opt for their Lupa Signature Pasta, where they complete and serve the dish directly at your table from a flaming parmesan wheel! Moving away from Italian dishes, the wood-roasted chicken, with a lemon and herb basting, was tender and flavourful. Served with roasted vegetables, it completes the selection, so you can have a choice to satisfy any kind of cuisine you’re in the mood for. Made with quality ingredients, and at a reasonable price, LUPA Osteria provides a welcoming dining experience that feels like home.
No dining experience is complete without dessert. It was quite a challenge choosing from the impressive selection, but we finally settled on Nutella stuffed crêpes, Tiramisu, and baked cheesecake. Admittedly biased, the tiramisu was amazing, the layers of ladyfinger biscuits and mascarpone mousse were infused with espresso, balancing the sweetness with a hint of bitterness. The baked cheesecake complemented by creamy vanilla gelato was smooth and practically melted in your mouth.
We left stuffed, happy with a new appreciation for Italian cuisine. Thank you for the amazing experience!
Words: Cristina Govender
Website: www.lupa.co.za
Tel: 031 940 6689
Address: Shop 4, Lighthouse Quarter, 14 Chartwell Dr, Umhlanga