This is no garden variety Italian restaurant. Gemelli at Bryanston's Posthouse Link Centre is a northern suburb's institution, with a vibrant atmosphere and a truly cosmopolitan crowd to match.

Launched in 2016 this trendy upmarket Italian restaurant hit the ground running and hasn't stopped since. Over the years Gemelli has picked up a faithful clientele of young and fashionable Sandtonites (including plenty of celebs) and on a Friday night you'd best make sure you book in advance. In fact pretty much every day of the week this place is buzzing.

This perennial popularity is in part a testament to Gemelli's dedication to making sure clients feel at home. On our most recent visit almost every second table was welcomed (literally) with open arms by bubbly waitstaff who greeted them as old friends, so regularly do the regular clientele dine out here.

Founder Alessandro Mosupi Khojane grew up in Rome, Italy, around a large family who enjoyed entertaining friends over good food. It's this passion for people and food that has helped him create this stylish restaurant with an impressively enduring popularity in what is often a fickle and faddish town. 

On arrival you'll quickly know you are in the right place. The busy hum of diners positively glows out of the doors. To cater to the crowds, Gemelli has launched a seperate bar next door making a neat seperation between the bar and the cucina. Phirinyane Bar is a chic glass-encased space with an indoor-outdoor concept, a great space for those looking for wine or cocktails with a glam crowd. Turn right and you are into the restaurant proper, an elegant New York-loft styled space that is a mix of wood, leather and concrete in a rich-hued palette of bronze and copper tones. 

Pasta is where this restaurant excels. All the pastas are made by hand and they're pretty perfectionist about it too, going to great lengths to ensure that only the finest ingredients are used (when it comes to ricotta they even make this themselves). Expect recognizable and loved dishes served up as fine food, generously, comforting and rich in flavour.

Their signature pastas list a long roll call of greats and it can be hard to choose. On the lighter side of things we highly recommend the summer cappelletti as a major stand out dish. These delicate pasta parcels are filled with spinach and that homemade ricotta and served in a delicate tomato emulsion with just the right touch of cream and a hint of chilli. Oh so light and perfectly fluffy, the added flick of parmesan crisps on top rounds out a perfect dish.
 

On the heavier side the rich slow roasted oxtail parpadelle is great winter fare (if a little heavy for our tastes, bring a big appetite!). We also tried the twelve hour braised pork belly, another rich dish sure to satisfy the red meat eaters that came elegantly presented with a creamy beurre blanc sauce and heritage vegetables.

When it comes to drinks the wine list is wide ranging with plenty of excellent choices at several price ranges (probably part of the reason they had to expand the bar out into its own venue). If you love bubbly the bar carries seven different local sparkling (MCC) wines, many available by the glass, and in a nod to the parade of flashy motors that you will usually find parked outside, there are also lots of options to splash some serious cash with no fewer than ten different French Champagnes available by the bottle. 

If you are the kind of person who likes to save your calories for a knockout dessert Gemelli's signature baked almond and nougat cheesecake is the sweet end to the night that is most likely to catch your eye. Sprinkled with meringue biscuit crumbs and served with caramel popcorn ice-cream it is seriously decadent. Alternatively, try their enticing contemporary twist on the classic tiramisu with espresso syrup, Oreo cookie crumbs, a mousse of mascarpone and espresso custard. Whichever option you choose, just make sure to be wearing your comfortable trousers – portions are generous!

*We were invited by Gemelli to review their menu. The views expressed are our own.