This iconic Italian restaurant and food store in Craighall, Johannesburg has won numerous awards over the years for its delicious food and excellent service. Mokgadi Itshweng investigates whether Pronto’s quality is still top-notch.

Food

For breakfast, try the very popular ricotta griddlecakes, which come dripping in maple syrup and topped with bacon, or the simply delectable Mediterranean scrambled eggs with pancetta and tomatoes. For lunch or dinner, try their arancini, a crisp, deep-fried, meat-stuffed rice ball, or the polenta con polpette (with meatballs), beautiful meatballs cooked in a tomato and chilli sauce, served with a healthy helping of creamy polenta.

A delightful seafood pasta at the Pronto Italian Deli and Foodstore. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

If you’re after a lighter bite, try one of their many generously proportioned salads, or the flavoursome, warming soups – the minestrone soup with haricot beans, topped with pesto and parmesan croutons, is a real treat. The pizzas and pastas from their vast menu also look promising.

A fancy creation at the Pronto Italian Deli and Foodstore. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Drinks

There is a large selection of international and local wines on offer, as well as a fine selection of craft beers, international beers and spirits. A small corkage fee is charged for wine and champagne, should you want to bring your own.

Service

The service is excellent and the waiters are well versed on the menu, as well as what ingredients go into which dish.

Ambience

The restaurant is elegantly decorated; the tables covered in grey tablecloths dotted with white napkins. Despite the air of sophistication about the place, it is still cosy, drawing a crowd of both young families and businessmen.

And…

The dessert menu is small but has some firm favourites such as the chocolate salami, which is studded with nuts and served with mascarpone.

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The interior at the Pronto Italian Deli and Foodstore. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.