By Prashirwin Naidu
On an evening out with my doting parents – all of us tired and hungry – we headed to the Mall of Africa in search of something to warm our souls. The weather was brisk as we drove the new Haval Jolion Pro, just five minutes from our home in Buccleuch. I cranked up the air conditioner, enjoying the warmth that surged out. What a lovely, simple, tech-laden car the Jolion Pro is, kitted out with a sporty allure. It also handles like a champ. Before I get carried away with the Jolion, let’s talk food – my belly was rumbling, and I knew I needed some soul food.
We eventually found ourselves seated in a cosy booth at Casa Bella, an Italian restaurant serving everything from pizza and pasta to seafood and wine. “Casa Bella” means “beautiful house,” which perfectly describes the atmosphere. While it shares its name with a famous Italian design magazine, here at the Mall of Africa, it’s all about the food. Whether you’re after fine dining or something more casual, Casa Bella caters to both.
Our friendly waiter, John, welcomed us with complimentary panzerotti – deep-fried bread. One bite and you’re hooked. I added garlic and chilli, skipping the parmesan as I’ve embraced a vegan lifestyle, but it was still delicious. We even got a second serving, likely because they saw how much we enjoyed it. Dad went for a flavourful hot peri-peri chicken livers with toasted bread to start while mom opted for her usual seafood starter: snails and cheese. Her choice wasn’t bad, but I didn’t feel like I missed out. I was patiently waiting for my dish.
Finally, the mains arrived. Mine Penne Arrabbiata, a flavourful tomato dish. I usually go for fettuccine pasta, but this time, silly me, I wanted to be healthy and went for zucchini pasta –a low-carb alternative. It was rich. The tomato’s acidity overpowered the healthy greens, but still, the flavours harmonised together and I could not stop eating. It was delicious.
Dad savoured his charcoal-fried chops, cooked to his preference—crispy, or as I’d call it, burnt. I could only imagine how juicy they were. Hearty and meaty, with chips on the side.
Mom’s dish was Chorizo Fettuccine in a rich, creamy Napoletana sauce with a hint of salami slices. It was a spicy dish, with brown and portabellini mushrooms with red onions. True to its name, it had soul, and the flavours danced on her palate.
As we tucked in, the table fell silent. You see, food tells a story. A good meal can turn a bad day around. Though the weather outside was gloomy, we were enjoying a flavourful summer.
As the evening came to an end, our stomachs were content, and we were ready to head home. I concluded that my dish was a masterpiece, though unique. My parents agreed that theirs were exceptional too since you can’t go wrong with peri-peri chicken livers, lamb chops, or a rich pasta. Casa Bella offers generous portions and a lovely ambience at a price that won’t break the bank. Our total came to R700 since there was no wine this time, but perhaps next time.
Ciao, Ciao.