Profiled by de Groots MediaFor sixteen years La Capanna has occupied a comfortable position at the top of Kingston’s casual dining list. And with a reputation for some of the best pizza in town, it’s easy to see why. This homey Giles Street eatery is busy even on nights when other waiters are twiddling their thumbs, and on a weekend it is bursting at the seam for hours. It’s a sensation that many of their customers are familiar with. The usual Italian fare – various breads, pastas, salads and pizzas – are provided, but with far more care and attention to detail than is usual. A list of some twenty pizzas (available in small, medium, large, and family-size almost as big as the table) include gourmet items such as blue cheese and prosciutto, all partnered with an array of fresh ingredients designed to produce balance and maximum flavour.
A similar cooking philosophy is adopted for the pastas and the hearty seafood dishes in rich, tomato-based sauce. For the tenacious eater, a small but tempting dessert list is also provided, as well as a melting selection of gateaux in a glass display case. In among the rustic green-and-terracotta decor, Italian liqueurs can be found dotting the bar, including digestifs such as Averna and lemoncello – both useful for taking the edge off a bloated belly. If this fun and food-loving restaurant hasn’t yet made it to the top of your hit-list, perhaps it’s time to book in and see what everyone else is talking about.
Stephanie Wang, August 2007