Blanko, Cape Town, South Africa

The Constantia Valley ticks every criterion of a bucolic Cape Town tableau. Table Mountain looms over the landscape of vineyards and small farms, while a network of walking paths, woodlands of ancient oaks, and natural streams frame perfectly the valley’s tony mansions and 18th-century Cape Dutch homes. 

Taking full advantage of this vista is the newly opened Blanko. Located on the ground floor of the Alphen Boutique Hotel, the restaurant is headed by Amber-May Deetlef who delivers a light Italian menu speckled with imaginative crowd-pleasers like wild mushroom orzo, wild rocket gnocchi, and slabs of sirloin brushed with Shiraz butter and seasoned with black olive sea salt, though, apparently, the grilled local fish splashed with nothing more than olive oil and lemon is a best-seller.

Soda Creative’s Gregor Bremer sidesteps the potential monotony of an all-white interior by layering warm colours and textures. The handsome stain of the brown-bordered sash windows is mirrored in the broad-planked floors and exposed ceiling beams, while the Italian marble dining tables and a floating backlit bar are smartly paired with a collection of contemporary South African pieces.

And when the sun’s shining – which, in this part of the world, seems to be all year – the all-white outdoor terrace more than makes the mark.