Il Menu

The menu

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Il Menu

Thesen Island · Knysna

Silvana’s Trattoria01

Benvenuti

Our Table

Fifteen years ago Silvana left Perugia, in the heart of Umbria, and made South Africa home, bringing with her a love of Italian food, family and the tradition of gathering around the table.

For Silvana, food has always been about more than what is on the plate. It is about long lunches, busy family tables, laughter, conversation and those special moments that somehow always seem to happen over a good meal.

Our menu brings together the flavours of Italy with the dishes our customers have come to know and love. Homemade pasta and pizza sit alongside fresh seafood, flame grilled meats and comforting family favourites.

Our food is generous, uncomplicated and made to be shared and enjoyed.

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Primo

Antipasti · Starters

Coastal Oysters

SQ R20 – R45

Fresh wild local oysters, hand-picked along our coastline and served with fresh lemon.

Bruschetta Classica

R95

Homemade toasted bread topped with fresh diced tomato, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil.

Caprese

R125

Fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil, drizzled with homemade pesto and extra virgin olive oil.

Arancini al Ragu

R135

Crispy golden risotto balls filled with slow-cooked beef ragu and mozzarella, served with homemade pomodoro and Parmesan.

Fegatini di Pollo · Chicken Livers

R135

Pan-fried chicken livers in a rich tomato, garlic and chilli sauce, finished with white wine and served with toasted homemade bread.

Prosciutto e Melone

R140

Sweet seasonal melon wrapped in thinly sliced Parma ham.

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

R145

Layers of aubergine, homemade pomodoro, mozzarella and Parmesan, baked until golden and finished with fresh basil.

Stuffed Calamari

R165

Patagonian calamari tubes filled with prawns, spring onion and cashew nuts.

Skinny Lamb Chops

R175

Thin-cut lamb chops flame-grilled, brushed with rosemary oil and finished with fresh lemon.

Burrata & Parma Ham

R195

Creamy fresh burrata with thinly sliced Parma ham and extra virgin olive oil, served with warm Focaccia Classica.

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Fresco

Insalate · Salads

Insalata Greca

R150

Creamy Danish feta, olives, tomato, cucumber and red onion, tossed in a balsamic dressing.

Rucola & Avocado

R165

Fresh rocket, creamy avocado, shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts, finished with our house lemon vinaigrette.

Caesar Salad

R175

Crisp cos lettuce tossed in our homemade Caesar dressing with Parmesan and crunchy croutons. Add grilled chicken R45.

Honey & Rosemary Chicken

R195

Grilled chicken breast with avocado, toasted almonds and mixed leaves, finished with a honey and rosemary dressing.

Bacon & Halloumi

R195

Grilled halloumi, crispy bacon and avocado on mixed leaves, finished with balsamic glaze.

Insalata della Casa · To Share

R195

Mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives and shaved Parmesan with house Italian vinaigrette. Serves 2 to 4.

Prawn & Calamari

R220

Grilled prawns and crispy calamari served over mixed leaves, finished with a sweet chilli and lime dressing.

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Fatto in Casa

Pasta

Pomodoro, Arrabbiata, Pesto, Alfredo, Bolognese and Pasta al Pollo are served with your choice of penne, spaghetti, gnocchi or homemade tagliatelle.

Pasta al Pomodoro

R150

Classic Italian tomato sauce with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil.

Arrabbiata

R160

Pomodoro sauce with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and a touch of chilli.

Pesto

R175

Homemade basil pesto with garlic, nuts, Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil.

Alfredo

R195

Creamy Alfredo sauce with ham, mushrooms and Parmesan.

Bolognese

R195

Traditional slow-cooked beef ragu with pomodoro and aromatic herbs.

Pasta al Pollo

R205

Tender chicken breast and mushrooms tossed in a rich creamy sauce.

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Fatto in Casa

Specialita di Pasta

Michael’s Carbonara

R195

Egg, Pecorino Romano, pancetta and freshly cracked black pepper.

Lasagna

R215

Layers of pasta with slow-cooked beef ragu, creamy bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan.

Gregory’s Gnocchi Fritti

R225

Golden pan-fried gnocchi in a creamy Gorgonzola and white wine sauce, finished with brown butter and fresh spring onion.

Prawn & Chorizo Gnocchi

R230

Gnocchi with succulent prawns and smoky chorizo in a creamy tomato and garlic sauce with a hint of chilli.

Polpette e Burrata

R235

Homemade beef meatballs in a rich pomodoro sauce, served with creamy burrata and fresh basil.

Seafood Pasta

R250

Prawns, mussels and calamari tossed in a rich pomodoro sauce with garlic and fresh chilli.

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Dal Forno

Pizza

Focaccia Classica

R110

Rosemary, garlic and extra virgin olive oil.

Focaccia con Feta o Mozzarella

R130

Feta or mozzarella, garlic, cracked black pepper and extra virgin olive oil.

Margherita

R145

Tomato sauce, mozzarella and fresh basil.

Siciliana

R165

Tomato sauce, anchovies, capers and a touch of chilli.

Diavola

R195

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy salami and fresh chilli.

Regina

R195

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.

Vegetariana

R195

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, mixed peppers, mushrooms, artichokes and baby marrow.

Hawaiian

R195

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and pineapple.

Sasha’s B&B

R195

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, bacon and banana.

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Dal Forno

Pizza continued

Quattro Stagioni

R215

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, artichokes and olives.

Messicana

R215

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, seasoned beef mince, mixed peppers and chilli.

South African

R220

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, bacon, feta and avocado.

Quattro Formaggi

R225

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Parmesan and creamy feta.

Warren’s

R235

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken, Peppadews, feta and avocado.

Malona

R245

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, bacon, Italian sausage and salami.

Silvana’s Pizza

R250

Tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, Parma ham, rocket, fresh cherry tomatoes and shaved Parmesan.

Parma & Burrata

R260

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parma ham and fresh creamy burrata.

Spicy Seafood

R260

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, prawns, mussels and calamari, finished with fresh chilli.

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Dalla Cucina

Burgers

All burgers are served with hand-cut chips.

Vegetariano

R170

A generous stack of grilled seasonal vegetables with melted cheddar, caramelised onion and rocket, served on a toasted brioche bun with house mayo.

Chicken Prego

R175

Flame-grilled chicken fillet marinated in our house peri-peri sauce, served on a toasted Portuguese roll with caramelised onion.

Honolulu

R185

Crispy buttermilk chicken breast with grilled pineapple and melted cheddar, served on a toasted brioche bun with caramelised onion, rocket and house mayo.

Messicano

R195

Homemade beef patty topped with crispy bacon, avocado and cheddar, served on a toasted brioche bun with caramelised onion, rocket and house mayo.

Hulk Burger

R210

A generous 300g homemade beef patty topped with melted cheddar, tomato relish and gherkins, served on a toasted brioche bun with house mayo.

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Secondi

Dal Mare · Seafood

Fish & Chips

R225

Old-school beer-battered hake served with hand-cut chips, fresh salad, lemon and house tartare sauce.

Cozze al Vino Bianco · Mussel Pot

R245

Fresh mussels steamed with garlic, white wine, thyme and onion, finished with a touch of cream and served with warm toasted bread and hand-cut chips.

Calamari Fritti o alla Griglia

R250

Tender Patagonian calamari, fried or grilled, served with hand-cut chips, fresh salad, lemon and house tartare sauce.

Seafood Platter for Two

R675

A generous selection of prawns, hake, Patagonian calamari and mussels, served with hand-cut chips, savoury rice, fresh salad and lemon butter.

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Secondi

Combos

Fish & Prawns

R315

Old-school beer-battered hake with six prawns, served with hand-cut chips, house tartare sauce and garlic butter.

Fish & Calamari

R325

Old-school beer-battered hake with crumbed Patagonian calamari, served with hand-cut chips, fresh lemon and house tartare sauce.

Beef & Reef

R345

200g matured beef sirloin with six prawns, served with hand-cut chips and garlic butter.

Fiamma

Dalla Griglia · From the Grill

Half Spring Peri-Peri Chicken

R195

Half chicken marinated in traditional peri-peri, flame-grilled and served with hand-cut chips.

Sirloin 300g

R265

300g matured beef sirloin, flame-grilled to your liking, with hand-cut chips, Parmesan mash, roasted vegetables or salad. Mushroom, pepper or cheese sauce.

Fillet 250g

R325

250g matured beef fillet, flame-grilled to your liking, with hand-cut chips, Parmesan mash, roasted vegetables or salad. Mushroom, pepper or cheese sauce.

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Della Casa

Specialita della Casa

Butter Chicken Curry

R225

Tender pieces of chicken simmered in a rich, creamy tomato and butter curry sauce, delicately spiced and finished with a touch of cream. Served with fragrant savoury rice.

Chicken Trinchado

R255

Tender chicken and peppers in a creamy peri-peri garlic sauce, served with your choice of a warm bread bowl, savoury rice or hand-cut chips.

Saltimbocca di Pollo

R275

Chicken breast layered with Parma ham and sage, pan-fried and finished with a white wine butter sauce, served with creamy Parmesan mash and seasonal vegetables.

Ribs 500g

R280

500g pork ribs flame-grilled and basted in our house barbecue sauce, served with hand-cut chips.

Karoo Lamb Cutlets

R295

Three French-trimmed Karoo lamb cutlets, flame-grilled and served on creamy Parmesan mash with seasonal vegetables, finished with a honey, balsamic and mint glaze.

Espetada di Filetto

R365

300g matured beef fillet skewered with peppers and red onion, flame-grilled and served with hand-cut chips and house chimichurri.

Tagliata di Manzo

R375

Sliced grilled beef sirloin over fresh rocket with shaved Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil, with hand-cut chips, Parmesan mash, roasted vegetables or salad.

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Accompagnamenti

Contorni · Sides

Hand-Cut Chips

R50

Savoury Rice

R50

Seasonal Roasted Vegetables

R50

Parmesan Mash

R50

Sweet Potato Fries

R50

Extra Sauce

R35

Mushroom, pepper or cheese.

Per i Piccoli

Bambini

Chicken Strips & Chips

R120

Golden crumbed chicken strips served with hand-cut chips.

Pasta al Ragu

R120

Pasta tossed in our traditional slow-cooked beef ragu.

Chicken Burger & Chips

R120

Grilled chicken burger served with hand-cut chips.

Beef Burger & Chips

R120

Beef burger served with hand-cut chips.

Margherita Pizza

R120

Tomato sauce and mozzarella.

Hawaiian Pizza

R120

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and pineapple.

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Per Finire

Dolci · Desserts

Tiramisu

R125

Espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with creamy mascarpone and finished with a dusting of cocoa.

Baked Cheesecake

R125

Classic baked cheesecake served with seasonal berry coulis.

Creme Brulee

R125

Vanilla custard topped with a crisp caramelised sugar crust.

Tortino al Cioccolato

R135

Warm chocolate fondant with a rich molten centre, served with vanilla ice cream.

Pizza alla Nutella

R150

Warm pizza base generously topped with melted Nutella, perfect for sharing.

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Come hungry. Stay awhile.

Benvenuti da Silvana

Silvana’s Trattoria15

Buon Appetito

All prices in South African Rand

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Allergies

Tell your waiter before you order. Several dishes carry nuts, dairy, shellfish or gluten, and the kitchen will talk you through what can be adjusted.

Prices

All prices are in South African Rand. Oysters are charged at the going rate and change with the catch.

Larger tables

Nine or more of you? Give us a ring so we can set the long table properly and take the order ahead of time.

A Tavola

Your table is waiting

Pick a date, a time and how many of you there are. We will hold the table and see you on Thesen Island.

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