Last week I was invited to lunch at Zenzero, a stylish restaurant on the popular Camps Bay seafront. Zenzero has just had a total refurbishment and is now primed and ready for the busy summer season ahead. With its sophisticated and elegant ambiance it makes for a great destination after a lazy day on the beach.
The interior has a beautiful curved bar and organic lines which are echoed in the striking statement ceiling lights. Bookshelf-lined walls all around create a welcoming feel along with an open fireplace for those chilly evenings. Glass stacking doors open up onto the outdoor deck area which has a more laid-back feel with a pergola covered in greenery.
Salmon Cruido – Beetroot, citrus, fennel & lemon
The Italian-inspired menu is extensive with plenty of options to suit your mood and diet. To go with the seaside setting we opted for seafood for both our starters and mains. They do also offer salads, pastas and meat. The dishes were all beautifully plated and we enjoyed every moreish bite!
The prices are on the high end as one would expect for the prime location so for myself this would be more of a ‘special occasion’ restaurant. I don’t think the prices will deter any tourists though! When you’re being served delicious food by friendly, attentive waiters with a view to boot – who can complain?
Razor Clams – Chilli, fennel, thyme, bread crumbs & parmesan
Grilled Salmon Trout – Spring vegetables & lemon oil
Coriander & Mustard Seed Line Fish – Onion, tomato, garlic, fennel & baby new potatoes
All photography: Lana Kenney ©
Disclosure: My meal at Zenzero was complimentary. As always, the opinions and thoughts herein are my own.
Rose McClement
29 September
Congrats on the absolutely gorgeous photography. It alone speaks volumes to the place and the food.
I love the sense of cosiness created in a very large space, but I find the seating mix a bit on the strange side. Something like France meets Scandinavia – or allows Scandi to sit along side of it. I do Eclectic style – it’s my handwriting and the handwriting of our company. So, for me to think it strange, is strange in and of itself. But maybe, I just need to settle into it. I somehow sense a bit of a disconnect in the interiors. But all that said – it still has a good ambient feeling about it and a sense of luxury.
Lana
3 October
Hi Rose
Thanks for stopping by!
I agree with you regarding the mix of chairs in the interior, there at least 4 different styles going on. Trust your ‘decor’ eye to pick up on that! What I’m not mad about are the white table cloths. I’ve personally never been a fan of them but now with the water crisis it seems a unwise choice.
Rose McClement
4 October
Hey Lana – great hearing back from you. Together with Vicki Sleet’s blog, yours is one I always read every time it lands in my box. It’s such a visual and informative feast. Makes Local taste real Lekka. I realise that it has probably been about 7 years of following these two blogs and I never tire of either of them. So well done and Long may it last.
But back to the ZenZero post – I’m not here to bash interiors. It’s just that like you and others in the interiors profession these details never escape our line of sight. One of the hazards of the profession I guess. Much like a foodie that cannot miss the discrepancies in food flavours and textures. I completely agree with you on the table cloth issue. It’s belongs to that Fine Dining style. But like you so appropriately highlighted – it is wholely inappropriate in Cape Town’s drought strickened circumstances. And Actually for that matter really nothing to do with Zen . I do hope though that the food, which looked so good in your images – had more fusion than confusion going on. Because ultimately the interiors do speak to the fact that more thought needed to be applied into the venue. However, all of that said – it’s what the public like and appreciate. And they don’t pick up on what you and I do. Cheers – and Lana – keep up your good work.