Quite late on a Friday evening at around 9:30pm my girlfriend and I decided a spontaneous coffee date would do quite nicely after a long day. After scouting for any suitable spot around the wynberg and claremont areas without much luck we found ourselves in the vibrant and abuzz bar and restaurant district just outside kenilworth train station, counting ourselves lucky for the many options which now availed themselves. Seeking a more secluded and conversational atmosphere we decided to try out Bardelli's as a first. As we step in at 10:30pm, ready to take a quick intimate seat at one of the classic Italian checkered tables in the front of house, reassuring the gentleman greeting us that we are just in need of a coffee fix and won't take up much time seeing as their tables were all done and the staff and kitchen busy packing up for the night. Without thinking he politely brushes us off that notion and pleasantly leads us all the way through the empty restaurant to the surprisingly spacious tented and benched backyard where glowing embers still eagerly awaited us in the fireplace. He cheerfully introduces himself as the manager and part-owner while throwing a few logs on and pumping the fire up he informs us that the kitchen is still ready for whatever we may want and then asks the waiter to please setup our table and ensure we are looked after while he finishes up inside. Being so pleasantly surprised and having the place all to ourselves our friendly waiter helps us move a table right infront of the now cosy flames and laying out the table in a romantic candlelit fashion. Feeling so honoured and grateful we ensue to make it a meal, ordering two glasses of the house red and a large pizza while enjoying the chilled mood and happy Italian music. Our soft and succulent calamari pizza with zesty pesto and rocket could not have been more perfectly timed halfway through the satisfying red and went as fast as it came. We were left to slowly swing our conversation with the wine as the warm flames reduced to embers once again. We were then ushered into cheerful conversation with the manager while paying our bill, who now man alone closing up shop, openly spoke about the history and experiences of the place. We would definitely be back for another serving due to the managers pure passion towards customer service and ensuring a full experience regardless of time or whatever might've been the case. A definite 10/10.

The Klutz in the Kitchen's Straight Talkin' No Punches Pulled Restaurant, Bisto, Cafe, Pub, Food Truck, Street Food & Take Away Grub n' Cooking Maguffta Reviews ======+++++====== The Klutz decided it was time to gallivant around the neighbourhood again, this time in search of his groovy, celebrated hero’s much loved food, Lasagne. We refer to that goofy cat Garfield naturally, and to find that beautiful baked concoction perfected by the Italians who gave it to the world at large to enjoy with a good bottle or two of wine, Pinotage of course and some freshly baked bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The search was narrowed to Kenilworth, where we found ourselves sauntering through the doors of Bardelli’s, which we’d not been to before. We were pounced, ok not really, accosted didn't sound like the right word to use, so pounce it'll have to stay, by a waitress, who we later found was the manageress and quite fetching she was too. She took us through a number of inter-leading rooms, with tables and an outdoor cover area at the back, bigger than it looks at the storefront. I decided the we’d like the table I'd spotted in the front room which was quite busy with a sports team and parent celebrating the good season they had. On being seated was asked what we’d like to drink. I said Pinotage, she said yes they had a great house brand bottled for them by Beyerskloof, I said I’ll try a glass. She sauntered off to get the vino while I perused the menu, unnecessary but being a first visit i deemed it was. When the wine arrived I placed the order for Lasagne and a Garlic Pizza, then found out they had some Beyerskloof Chenin/Pinotage Blend in stock too, and something very rarely found in restaurants. Not being a big white wine drinker, this was one I always make an exception for and ordered a glass of it too. The evening looked very promising. The Garlic Pizza arrived looked good and was the thinnest I’d ever come across and though, sjoe, too good to be true ‘cause that just how I like my Garlic Pizza, great start and contentedly started munching. The Lasagne arrived steaming hot, good sign, but still had to pass The Klutz In The Kitchen’s famous and exacting great Lasagna Test, oh alright, it’s simply a knife stabbed into the centre of the dish, the tip must be piping hot to the tongue, if not it, fails and is sent back with the promise of not returning to the venue again in a hurry. Pass it did and was one of the most yummolicious Lasagne’s I’d had in a long while. Good food, wonderful wine, but sadly the only downer was the coffee, nowhere near good at all, in fact blerry awful and horribly bitter. All in all a fantastic evening of really great food and marvellous wine, we’ll just forget about the coffee and have a Kahlua Don Pedro next time. Oh, and Bardelli’s is not near the top of my go to Italian food joints. Lasagna rule’s OK. ======+++++====== The Klutz in the Kitchen’s Grub Rating System
 ★ = Really bad, horrible, unpleasant, and abysmal, never visit, ever!!!!!!!!
 ★★ = Better than bad, still not good enough waste of time and money. Visit at ones own peril. ★★★ = Middling, tolerable, almost acceptable to adequate, could be still better
 ★★★★ = Enjoyable, pleasant and satisfactory, worthy of a visit from time to time.
 ★★★★★ = Magnificent, really fantastic, truly well worth a visit regularly. ======+++++====== Bardelli’s gets The Klutzes ★★★★ rating on this visit Email The Klutz In The Kitchen at klutzinthekitchen@alljazzradio.co.za ======+++++======

Went for a family dinner last night at Bardelli's and was blown away! I was in the market for a wheat-free, vegan meal and while at first the menu is more vegetarian friendly (among the wide range of meat options), I ended up having the most delicious dinner I've had in ages! I was planning on having a salad but the waiter suggested I try their Banting pizza base with veggie toppings and no cheese. What a triumph - by far the best pizza I've had. The base was crunchy, nourishing and delicious! The toppings were generous and I didn't feel deprived at all without wheat and cheese. The base is not on the menu but what a hidden gem. I will go back again and order the Banting base (prepared with cauliflower and what tasted like seeds and tasty herbs) even when I am not looking for a wheat-free treat. My family had a mix of regular pizzas, pasta and calamari - everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The restaurant was also warm and cosy in the chilly, wet weather. The waiter was attentive and I cannot wait to go back.

For our end of year dinner with our Board of Directors, I booked out a small room at Bardelli's even though I was a bit anxious that our directors would expect something more formal. They loved Bardelli's! They raved about the food, all promised to be back with family and friends, atmosphere was really great and chef was truly on top form that night with everything from the steak, pizza's to fish being done to perfection. We had a wonderful night, Bardelli's relaxed atmosphere ensured we didn't feel like we were at another work event but a happy night out with friends. Thank you.

I live two roads down from Bardellis in Kenilworth. My housemate and I eat here at least once a month, whether we do take-outs or eat in (both are delicious!!) Excellent value for money. The ambiance and food is brilliant enough to easily fall in love with this little place (I particularly love sitting in their little back courtyard... very warm and romantic). I'd definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys great pizza and pasta!