A Table in the Corner

S2-47. Datterino - Giovanni Calvani

Russel Wasserfall Media Season 2 Episode 47

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0:00 | 16:30

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, I chat to Giovanni Calvani of Datterino, a Roman-style cafeteria and pizzeria in Cape Town’s New Riverlands Mall.

Giovanni grew up in Italy and has brought a very different style of pizza to Cape Town: pinza romana, an oval-shaped pizza made with a highly hydrated dough, long fermentation and a blend of flours. We talk about why his original pizza al taglio concept didn’t immediately find an audience, how he adapted the idea for the local market, and the thinking behind Datterino’s all-day café approach.

We also get into the regional differences in Italian food, the role of ancient grains and long fermentation in his dough, and why he thinks Cape Town is ready for more than just Neapolitan pizza.

This episode is part of Pizza Sessions, our video series exploring the people, places and different styles shaping Cape Town’s pizza culture, brought to you by Banhoek Chilli Oil


  • www.rwm2012.com
  • On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner
  • Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson
  • All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise credited
  • Title music: 'In Time' by Olexy via Pixabay