Arlecchino by tashas brings a new design landmark to Sea Point, drawing directly from two influential periods in Italian design history: Milan’s late‑20th‑century modernist restraint and Venice’s 1970s–80s decorative revival. The result is a space that merges clean geometry with theatrical ornamentation, translated for a contemporary Cape Town context.
Lead designer, Neydine Bak from Verhaal, describes the interiors as “…a collision of the shared nostalgia and artistry of Milan, Venice and Sea Point. We were intrigued by the shared spirit – shaped by water, defined by movement and light, understated glamour and slightly surreal depending on the hour.”
This intersection of Venetian romance and Sea Point’s relaxed vibrancy created the foundation of Arlecchino – familiar yet elevated, easy yet expressive.
Arlecchino is not a reproduction of either city, but a contemporary interpretation of their design languages, adapted for the area’s coastal light and urban rhythm.
Milanese Influence: Geometry, Material Discipline, Modernist Lineage
From the 1960s through the 1980s, Milan was defined by a design culture that favoured clarity of form, precision, and material honesty. Arlecchino pays homage to the mirrored diamond geometry of the time that demonstrates a fascination with modular repetition. Softened stainless steel and clean-lined metalwork that nod to Milan’s industrial design heritage are evident in the design of the bar which has been imported directly from Milan, crafted in burled walnut and rounded steel.
Venetian Influence: Theatre, Ornament, and the 1970s–80s Decorative Revival
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Venice experienced a resurgence of theatricality in interiors, influenced by post-modernism, the revival of Venetian terrazzo, and a renewed interest in craft and ornament. Arlecchino draws from this era through hand‑painted geometric wall panels inspired by Venetian theatre backdrops, velvets in chartreuse and faded blues reminiscent of Venetian salons, and large-scale mosaic work that echoes the mosaic revival that swept Italy during the period. Layered terrazzo flooring connects both to Venice’s flooring traditions and Cape Town’s coastal palette.
“Playful curves and organic joinery, bringing fluid movement to the space,” notes Neydine. “And wave-form metalwork has been designed to mimic the shimmering colour shifts of a harlequin costume.”
Arlecchino is designed to operate in two distinct modes. During the day, reflective surfaces, pale tones, and open sightlines create a bright, café‑style energy. As evening arrives, the space transitions into a more intimate parlour, with sculptural lighting calibrated to mimic the Atlantic’s shifting light – a deliberate parallel to Venice’s relationship with water and reflection. Throughout the interior, wave‑form metalwork, paper‑collared installations that respond to changing light, and subtle reinterpretations of the harlequin motif create a layered environment that reveals itself gradually.
Custom furniture and detailing merge Italian references with South African craftsmanship, grounding the space in its local context while maintaining a clear design lineage. The interplay of metal, mosaic, terrazzo, velvet, and hand‑finished surfaces reflects a commitment to materiality that is central to both Milanese and Venetian design traditions.
Aperitivo Culture and Café Spirit
The menu, created by Tashas Group Culinary Director Jill Okkers, draws on the flavours, rhythms, and generosity of Italy – not through strict regional replication, but through a modern interpretation designed for Cape Town’s coastal energy. The all‑day menu moves through a series of Mediterranean‑inspired dishes designed for sharing. From antipasti, salads, pasta and seafood to desserts that balance nostalgia with a sense of theatre.
The beverage programme, led by Tashas Group Beverage Director Krystian Hordejuk, reinforces the Italian influence through classic aperitivo serves, distinctive glassware, and a wine list that highlights standout South African and Italian producers.
Arlecchino by tashas introduces a design vocabulary not commonly seen in Cape Town – one that blends European design history with local context, without pastiche. It is a contemporary interpretation rather than a reproduction.
“We weren’t interested in recreating Italy,” says Natasha Sideris, CEO and Founder of Tashas Group. “We were interested in translating its design languages into something that feels right for Sea Point today.”
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