The latest feather in The Kove Collection’s hat of restaurants, boutique hotels and bars, has Cape Town’s Sea Point abuzz. Sonny and Irene, a chic and colourful cafe bakery situated on Sea Point’s trendy Kloof Road, is the place to be seen this summer. By Arnold Ras
As impressive as Sonny and Irene’s carefully curated decor, lighting and wall art elements, the contemporary menu boasts an impressive diversity of cafe-style classics to suit all tastebuds. Think various breakfast options ranging from healthy to decadent; lunch and dinner items such as butter-poached prawns, market salads and ricotta cappelletti; desserts including burnt custard and a modern take on a banana split; and, of course, a cocktail selection that will leave you grappling to choose.
Stellenbosch Visio chatted to Alison Thomas, Sonny and Irene’s head of operations, to find out more.
Where does the name Sonny and Irene come from?
Sonny and Irene is affectionately named after The Kove Collection’s founder, Paul Kovensky’s grandparents. If you look closely, you will see their wedding photo proudly on display at the bar.
Sitting down at Sonny and Irene, one thing is quite evident: Sea Point’s latest social gem is everything but the average neighbourhood cafe bakery. What was the inspiration behind the restaurant’s look and feel?
This timeless venue communicates a sentimental nod to the past in a modern, fresh way. We have used pops of pink and green pastel hues, and soft marble and oak finishes to create a setting that doesn’t compromise style for comfort. A glance off the street makes it clear that craft and attention to detail are part of the deal, with an open kitchen, bakery and all-too-tempting cocktail bar framing the dining floor. We wanted to create something special. We envisage this to be a place loved by locals and visitors alike – whether it be a morning meeting, a lazy lunch, or an evening of cocktails.
The menu offers everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner and dreamy cocktails. Who’s the chef and culinary team heading the line-up?
The menu has been carefully crafted by executive chef Amber Deetlefs, pastry chef Chris Morriso, and mixologist Marshall Behaein.
Guests can also bring their dogs?
Yes, your furry friends are welcome anytime.
For newbies to Sonny and Irene, what’s not to be missed when opening the menu?
We recently launched the pastry bar because we know how much everyone loves our baked goods. We have made it easier for you to grab and go from our streetside bakery right next door to Sonny and Irene. Our croissants and tarts are definitely top of our list of items to try.
Good to know
Sonny and Irene is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Mondays to Sundays, 08:00 to 22:00. The pastry bar opens daily at 07:00. Call 021 745 6600 for more information or book online.